Teachers, what do you wear?

[Thenthatsthatthen]

DD starts her teaching placement in 2 weeks but has no clue what to wear (she wasn’t told about a dress code and doesn’t have a contract as she’s a volunteer so nothing to check in there).

So what would you recommend for a young (early 20’s) lady to wear? Size 14-16 depending on the style and rather conscious about her stomach so nothing tight. She likes sleeves and would rather avoid tight trousers. I was thinking tunic dresses with tights and cardigans. Does that sound about right?

Tunic dresses will be fine, she just needs to do the bend and stretch test! When she bends over is the back still modest and equally she shouldn’t be showing anything at the front! When she stretches up her tummy should be covered too. Our rule for teachers is that we shouldn’t be able to see up it, down it or through it - covers most eventualities.

I'm a dress, leggings and cardigan person when I'm at working at school!

But you can't go wrong with black trousers and shirt/ top.

Agree with the bend and stretch test too!

Primary or secondary?

Also, the convention is that trainees tend to dress more formally than established staff so err on the side of smartness for the first week or so of placement until she’s established the norm at her placement. Remember schools often recruit from trainees so you must make a really good first impression!

I teach and am a fan of the fat face Simone dress range. They're long enough, modest neckline, short sleeved so not too hot (can always wear a cardigan too) and, best of all, have pockets (for board pens/tissues). They always bring out new patterns in the same style, so just keep stocking up on them. Example below if the link works:

https://www.fatface.com/women/clothing/dresses-skirts/simone-star-floral-dress/946232.html?dwvar9462322_color=black&cgid=women-clothing-dresses-and-skirts#start=6

Another in favour of the bend and stretch test.

Is she primary or secondary as there's sometimes some differences. For example some secondary schools tend to lean a bit more towards the more business dress side of things.

I'm a dress/tunics, leggings/tights and blazer person or jersey skirts, blouses and cardigan (blazer over) most of the time, but have work different things in different schools.

Comfy shoes are an absolute must by the way.

It will depend on the school. In most schools tunic dresses and cardigans would be fine. I’d be surprised if there were many primaries where that wouldn’t be OK and it would be fine in my secondary school.
If it’s a secondary I’d have a look on their website and twitter etc to have a look at the sorts of things staff appear to be wearing in the pictures though. Some secondaries, especially certain academy trusts and free schools have much more formal dress codes, where a jacket/blazer is compulsory.

I would go for either smart trousers and top, knee length skirt and top or dress/ tunic and tights or leggings. Cardy rather than jacket, certainly in primary.

Closed toe shoes also!

Post is her friend here- especially if it’s primary teaching

Sorry forgot to say it was a primary school. Maybe I can get her a nice blazer to wear over a tunic dress to smarten it up? That way if she feels to over dressed it can be easily removed. Does anyone have any shoe recommendations? I think she’s planning boots but I might be feeling nice and buy a decent comfy pair for her

I normally go for a long sleeved top or jumper with checked or patterned trousers not the plain black school style trousers.

Primary is more casual than secondary which tends to range from smart to business dress. In primary I wear chinos and a long sleeve top, ballet flats and a scarf; short dress, leggings and boots with a long cardigan; knee length dress with thick tights. Layers are good. Cardigans aren't trendy but I have about 30. They are so useful for layering and temperatures can be weird in schools.

Also check if a blouse/shirt that bra can’t be seen through the button holes via gaping, a vest solves any embarrassment!

We expect staff to wear knee length or lower skirts/dresses if not in trousers.

You can’t go wrong with black trousers and shirt to start with for any type of school.

Definitely comfy shoes and a pair of slippers for when the kids have gone home for all the marking and planning!

Blazer is a good call, you can generally dress them up or down and they're a good instant smartener for meeting parents etc.

Buy her a whistle - so useful when outdoors!

Im a 14-16 and like Uniqlo, the clothes wash well and can be very cheap in the sale. I wear Clarks Hamble oaks (tend to get these reheeled after 6 weeks but after that they last years) and Uniqlo ankle grazer trousers with one of their tops and Jersey blazers

That sounds like a good idea. I’d be surprised if she needs the blazer day-to-day for primary but it’s always good to have one for parents evenings etc and better to go too smart at the start and then ditch the jacket, than to turn up and then be underdressed.

Blazer would look out of place for a teacher or student in my primary school.

Yes to hamble oaks!

If primary then waterfall blazers in soft fabrics work really well as they look smart but are as comfortable as a cardigan. A black soft one is a great option for throwing on over everything for layers.

bluewaves
It has never crossed my mind to have slippers for under my desk at the end of the day! I'm on the maternity leave countdown and this might be the most exciting piece of advice I've seen!
every day is a school day

Post is her friend here- especially if it’s primary teaching

Is that a shop?

That fat face dress is lovely!

I agree with leggings and tunic top and a cardigan.
Also check about what staff do for pe days. Many schools staff come in gym wear for those days (leggings, t shirt and jacket).

The end and stretch test is a must. And if working primary the sitting on a chair with kids on carpet and getting on and sitting on the carpet yourself test! That's why leggings are generally better for early primary (infants)

If she is primary she may be sitting on tiny chairs or kneeling quite a lot, so skirt needs to be decent & boots might not be comfy for kneeling. Personally I wear trousers for reception - yr2, and get a bit smarter for the older years. Lots of primary teachers are walking adverts for Whitestuff ime!

Don’t go black trousers + black jacket though, that would be a bit ‘unfriendly’ looking for the little people!

I meant popsy is her friend not post!

I am not a teacher, but when I go to pick up my primary school age children from school the younger teachers are invariably wearing knee length loose dresses, thick black tights, flat shoes and long cardigans
Trousers, which would be my choice, don’t seem very popular other than with the (female) Head who must have a wardrobe full of jackets as I don’t think I’ve seen her in the same one twice