outfit ideas for work experience in a secondary school.

[withaspongeandarustyspanner]

I've probably left it a little late to be thinking about this, but I'm going to be starting some work experience on Monday in a secondary school.

What sort of things would be acceptable to wear? My friend told me that jeans aren't really an option as schools don't look upon them favourably. And this is what has stumped me as I normally live and die in skinny jeans.

If anyone had any links for items that might be suitable, I'd be grateful. I'm thinking of H&M type budget.

Thanks

No links but I suggest a pair of black trousers with a good shirt/blouse. You may want cardigan or jumper depending on the weather. I used to teach and you need to be 'respectable' ie no low tops and nothing skin tight. You want to look professional. A single parent friend of mine did her entire GTP year with kne pair of black trousers from new look, a black jumper from charity shop and several good shirts.

How tall are you? this would work well with black opaques as long as you're not tall, as it may be obscenely short

ditto

What kind of school is it? If it's a business-like academy, you may need a jacket. Jeans are fine at other schools.

What do you look like?

I'm 5ft 7

The thing is, I've recently noticed that I'm a bit heavier than I thought I was so many of the clothes that I could have worn are a little snug.

I was just looking at Matalan. They have some good options.

Hmm. Some of the teachers I've noticed wearing suit jackets but it didn't look overly smart (some were wearing sandals - not that they're not smart, but it wasn't very office-y.

I have dark hair usually - but I had it ombred and now it's growing out. I have skin with yellow tones so have to avoid mustard because it makes me look ill. I have brown eyes.

And I'm a bit out of shape.

What about pencil skirts?

Pencil skirt and blouse is a good option.

Pencil skirt or trousers fine. Definitely no denim or denim look. Be careful about your top. Many tops that are smart enough for an office are quite low cut or see through which is out in a secondary school. Wear flat shoes or low heels as you will be standing a lot.

Cardigans are fine instead of jackets. I am a secondary teacher btw.

I've found some things. Please can you let me know if you think they are appropriate?

sleeveless blouse

scoop neck top

pencil skirt

wedges

blouse

trousers

I might not be able to afford everything at once, though.

Most of it looks good. Scoop neck might be low at back and blouse could be see through- hard to tell from photos

Yes - they were my 'suspect' items, too. I'll have a trip to see them in the shop.

I quite like this

That dress is perfect!

Agreed, the DP dress is ideal.

Are you in the office or a classroom? I found that what teachers wear depends on their department. For example I knew art teachers that wore acid wash jeans, but that would never fly in the maths department where everyone was suited.
Very dark denim or black skinny jeans might be okay as long as you wear smart shoes, shirt and a blazer with them.

Try everything on and check how it looks when you crouch down next to a desk! Anything too revealing or clingy in any direction is a No.

Most of our staff wear black tights, pencil skirts (not tight, just knee length skirts really, not too pencily) and a high necked top or actual blouse.
I usually wear a scarf/snood for smartness/warmth/paranoidness over see-through-ness of top. Smart cardis are fine.
Def not jeans, even our sixth formers wear business dress.

I'd say the scoop neck top would slip a lot, bra straps showing is not a good look. The rest would rob ably be fine as longest hey weren't transparent. Just check the trousers when you crouch down, lower waists show loads of knicker when working with kids.
I have a mixture of jackets and cardigans, cardis for teaching, jackets for meetings. Ohhh...make sure you have pockets for stuff, you can't carry a bag around everywhere. I'm a Yr6 teacher & SENCO.

I'll be classroom based, hopefully in the English department shadowing the TAs and Cover supervisors (I may even get to work in the library and get a small group to work with on my own).

I bought the dress (in a bigger size than I thought I needed!!) and it's quite snug but not in a revealing kind of way. I've bought opaque tights and some black pumps and a black cardigan. It will have to do this month - next month, maybe I can get some other bits. Hopefully in a smaller size (still recovering from the shock :) ).

How is it going sponge?