Volunteering at school..

[OhOk]

So, I’m panicking slightly! I applied to volunteer at DS’s school and they sent me the dates and information booklet today. It says they have a dress code which includes no Jeans or leggings, which is basically all I live in..

I haven’t been in a work environment in 7 years nearly and previous to that was in nurseries where jeans and leggings & long tops were fine.

What do I wear?! My confidence is at an all time low, I have no ‘smart’ clothes at all, I’m a size 20 and on the tightest budget ever.

Leggings worn as tights (under a long tunic/ dress) will be fine. Or buy a single pair of black trousers from primark. No one expects a volunteer to adhere to a strict dress code - you are not being paid!

If I were you I!m’d probably just but some cheap black trousers and wear them with tops or tunics you already own. It’s volunteering with kids, they can’t be too fussy!

Ah ok thank you, it did take me by surprise!

Wtf! The no leggings policy would rule out several teachers at our primary.

What’s the main reason for volunteering - are you hoping this will lead to a paid role in school (or be useful for your CV/references) or is it to help the school? If the latter, I wouldn’t worry too much about it (easier said than done I appreciate - my volunteering wear has become steadily more casual over the past three years as I’ve taken my lead from others!).

Also what type of school/activity are we talking about? No way would I be wearing smart stuff to help with craft activities, for example!

It will be in nursery one day a week and reception another day. I don’t know what it will involve yet.

The school put a letter out asking if any parents would like to volunteer but for me it is to gain recent experience as I will need a job (but not in the actual school - maybe a nursery or similar later on) when DD goes to school in September.

I tend to over think stuff/a worrier so am pushing myself to do this, hence being a worried about what to wear!

Do you want to continue to live in jeans and leggings? Or would you rather find workwear so you feel comfortable when you apply for jobs in the future? I think the reception work is slightly different to working with the children.

I would try and get out of leggings anyway. I think black skinny jeans would be better! Tunic, long sleeve Breton top or shirt on top.

I hate cheap trousers made in some country where workers are paid a pittance so, if you can afford it, a pair of black and a pair of navy or grey trousers from somewhere with an ethical policy! You can then experiment with tops and even try a dress for your reception day! You never know, you might feel and look good! There is no need to be Mumsy forever!

The 'teacher uniform' at our local schools seems to be leggings and a long tunic top or short dress - think Fat Face style - usually with clumpy boots. I imagine they mean nothing that looks like jeans - ie jeggings that look like skinny jeans. Actual leggings worn as above will be fine.

How about something like this from Matalan with black leggings and ankle boots.

Good luck!

Sorry, I mean reception as in the class reception with the children age 4-5years.

No, don’t particularly want to live in these forever but they are easy to hide myself in and I suppose easy as I don’t have a life except for the school run and being at home!

I’ve just joined slimming world so don’t want to invest in too much as I don’t want to be this size forever either!

I will have a look online for some plain dresses to wear with leggings but am also looking at black straight leg jeans, do you think these would be ok with a plain t shirt? They say plain t shirts are fine, just no logos or anything

Blimey I volunteer at a school & was never handed a dress code

I live in jeans & have never had any comments made despite being there for 3 years.

chumbal can I ask, off the subject of clothes if you don’t mind, what kind of things do you do there? I feel very nervous!

I’m going to have a look at what other volunteers and staff are wearing over the next few days when doing pick ups

I listen to the children read. So far I have listened to year 5 and year 4.

I also helped with spellings.

Don't worry

Thank you

Hi OP. A dress code is a bit of a surprise !! But I wonder if it’s more about just being smart, practical and professional. With the nursery and reception children it might involve bending, sitting and messy play and activities too. Good idea about some cheap black trousers and longer tops, or would you consider plain longish jersey type skirt or dress and tops you already have? When I volunteered on my dc School - a while ago now - things we did included reading practice ( but obvs with younger ones it’s just starting them onto looking at books/ telling and listening to stories ), helping with and clearing up from activities like painting / making etc Also helped with things like sorting letters into book bags, ensuring children had library books, spelling books up do date etc. In those classes it’s etablishing routines ( where do things go/putting away/ coats on for play time etc and helping the teacher and TA with the organising of the day. It was enjoyable - and quite tiring sometimes too! Are you doing 2 full days of just part of the day? Good luck - you’ll enjoy it (and also if your dc will be going there you’ll get a feel for the school too. )

Also - re clothing you might find it more relaxed - the dress code is maybe ‘code ‘ for just thinking about what’s appropriate. I know the head in my dc school asked teachers and volunteers not to wear flip flops for example. And vest tops in the summer we’re a no no!

I wouldnt get black jeans if the dress code says no jeans...

I'd get some black work trousers - eg from M&S - and wear with a hip-length shirt with 3/4 sleeves or sleeves that can be rolled up, or a vest top with a shirt on top.

I've never heard of a volunteer role with a dress code...

i’m a teacher - on maternity leave atm though - and there’s no dress code in my school! i generally wear tights or leggings with dresses and boots or flat shoes, as do most of the other female teachers my age (26). but some of the younger teaching assistants tend to wear those cropped wide legged trousers with plain tops or dark jeans and patterned blouses/tops/jumpers.

How about wider legged jersey trousers? I'm your size, and they're so comfortable! Can be worn with tshirts or slouchy jumpers and trainers or any flat shoes/boots.

https://m2.hm.com/m/engb/productpage.0672127001.html?utmm_source=Rakuten&utmmedium=Affiliate&utmmcampaign=2523611Lyst%20UK/EU&utmmcontent=15&utmterm=UKKNetwork&ranMID=43250&ranEAID=gcdL/ATRVoE&ranSiteID=gcdLATRVoE-BuBJpC8nn7tR3xk39fyTsw

It also says no cropped trousers! I’m not sure if it will be a full day, I’ve emailed to confirm as I need to drop my daughter off at preschool at 9 and pick up at 3 so will need to be between those hours.

I think it’s giving me a good opportunity to drag all my clothes out and sort through them to see if I can find anything suitable and then I’ll have to go shopping at the weekend maybe. Luckily it’s only 2 days to dress for at the moment

Thanks for all your replies

Usually dress code is to stop low cut tops and ripped jeans. Black leggings under a mid thigh or knee length top/dress with boots would be fine. You def need pants of some sort in nursery or reception as you have tiny chairs and you have to get down to their level a lot. Primark basic black pants or Matalan would be useful, something easy to wash and go as you’ll get covered in paint and glitter and maybe sick!

Matalan do some reasonable black bootcut pull on smart trousers. I used to wear them when I was a TA.

No cropped trousers is also bonkers imo.

Would eBay have anything suitable to tide you over?

I work in a school and out dress code us you can wear anything as long as you can’t see up it, down it or through it, which I think is reasonable.

Is it an academy, OP? The ones I know seem to be obsessed with everyone wearing a jacket. In early years, that’s a joke.