Primary school teacher interview outfit

[hen10]

I am already a primary school teacher, 44, size 14, 5'5, long body, short legs, freckly, pale, dark blonde hair (this is not how I always introduce myself but will be useful here🙂).

I have an opportunity to apply for a permanent post in my current school alongside external applicants. I want to look polished and smart at the interview and also generally move away from navy trousers/colourful supermarket top which I have fallen into over the years. I want to look colourful/interesting but not ditzy, smart but not 'office' wear. I am ambitious but have fallen into a 'comfortable' look which I don"t think is serving me now.

I have about £100 to spend on a dress I'd wear again in the classroom or separates. Can anyone help? What would a stylish person wear? Thanks

That Hobbs dress would be perfect-also you can dress it down with a cardigan or up with a jacket-dress for the role you want not are!

Hobbs dress is lovely and I imagine it will fit nice as well. The hush one is nice but the fabrics can be a bit hit or miss. I've just bought a £39 top from there that could've easily cost less than a fiver from ebay (it's going back).
From your description is sounds like your body is similar to mine, I usually wear popsy or boden dresses to work (secondary core). Popsy do plain dresses as well as prints, and from Boden I highly recommend the lola dress.

Thank you all so much, I am going to order the Hobbs dress. I have a pair of navy flats. Perhaps a necklace or something to brighten it up? I won"t need a jacket I think it will be too hot.

I also think the Hush checked shirt dress is perfect and you'd get a lot of wear out of it.

Can we have a photo when the Hobbs dress arrives. I hope it suits you!
On the model it looks like she can't do her buttons up properly 🤣

I get that you wMt to 'up' your look, but given you already work there I wouldn't stress too much! AND right now, 'a safe pair of hands' is what I imagine HT's will be crying out for!

I thought all primary teachers wore Boden, is it not part of the training?

You've just described me, except I'm 42 :)

I LIVE in colourful smart but not too smart stretchy t shirt sleeve dresses, my favourite one was from oasis, also love ASOS and Dorothy Perkins or H&M right now.

Not the Hush dress. It’s far too casual and is unsuitable.
The Hobbs one is best. I like the white stripes, but wonder how flattering it is in reality.

I recommend a nice shirt dress in block colour Stylish but smart too. Easy to wear and comfortable. With some black tights and heels or pumps.

I've ordered the Hobbs one for next day delivery - will post a picture. Worried it's a bit too smart /officey but we shall see. Thanks all - you've been really helpful.

I would look at Whistles or Hobbs for a smart, modern dress.

Teaching jobs don’t need to be advertised externally if you have a suitable candidate in house. An advert in the staff room is acceptable. Don’t spend money on an outfit, just make sure no one can see up it, down it or through it. Whatever is appropriate for an office where you might meet the public is fine. No denim, vest tops or flip flops. Make sure you can answer the question about safeguarding, behaviour policy, meeting gossipy parent in the supermarket. If they really wanted you fir the position, I think they may have offered it to you already. Really sorry 😐 Don’t give up though and good luck.

Get some dresses and skirts and tops

I like the Hobbs dress (but not if dry clean only). Team it with a bright, large bead necklace. I have fat calves, so it wouldn't work for me.

Wrap dresses are versatile, but always wear a camisole/vest underneath (and check what happens when you bend over).

No no no to the shirt dress! If the buttons are in the wrong place, or the buttonholes are a bit loose, it is a recipe for disaster!

If in doubt, a combo of navy, beige and white usually looks smart and you can brighten it up with choice of watch strap, necklace, shoes.

Good luck!

Dress plus jersey blazer is a good combo. I always get very hot when I'm anxious but a blazer adds smartness and you can easily take it off. Make sure you bend down in it to check cleavage, make sure it's not see through etc! Good luck!

Sit down in front of a mirror. No gapes etc. As you will most likely be sitting for questions.

Tip- bring stickers for your interview lesson (if you're doing one). Shiny ones, smelly ones, the best you can get. Gives you leverage.

www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/polka-dot-black-midi-pinafore-dress-312481

Personally I'd wear something like this. I don't think you want to go too smart... With this you can add a bit of whatever colour suits you best underneath and it looks near rather than formal. The other dresses to me look a little bit stuffy. Just my opinion though, great thing is to choose something you're comfortable in! Good luck x

*neat

Teaching interviews always tricky. Walk around the school, meet and greet with children, staff and governors. So formal attire. But, may end up sitting on the floor with KS1 or in the playground. So... think versatile, comfortable, feeling relaxed. It’s a long day with unknown’s. As a retired primary school head, yes what you wear matters but your manner with the children out pervades all.

Boden do very nice jersey dresses that I find fit and wash well, and have pockets. You could look at sosandar too as they do a few shirt dresses. John Lewis have style guide thingy on their website if you fill in your details so you could try various brands from there.

Have you thought of white stuff? Colourful, smart but not officy and often pockets!!!
www.whitestuff.com/womens/dresses/light-blue-print-selina-fairtrade-dress/
www.whitestuff.com/womens/dresses/artist-teal-print-alice-jersey-dress/
Or sea salt: www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/clothing/dresses-tunics/carvel-tiered-jersey-dress-painterly-leaf-cargo.htm

Love the Hush dress, it’s fab. The Hobbs one you’ve ordered is lovely too :)

I’d say make sure that whatever you order has some stretch...I can’t teach when I feel constricted...well I suppose I could, but why would you?!

I would normally recommend Boden and Seasalt as their jersey dresses are fab - I’ve worn them for interview - internal and external and felt fab.

I was in a similar situation to you this time last year, I went for an Oasis floral dress (not my usual - but I ended up in the shop in desperation and fell in love) and a jacket.

I wanted something smart enough to show I was serious but not too different from what I’d normally wear because I really did not want children fixating more on clothes and why I was dressed like that than on the lesson. To that end, I wore the jacket for panel, but abandoned it with kids.

I don’t necessarily agree that schools won’t interview if they have a suitable internal candidate - it also depends on post and policy.

Anyway, I got my job and I hope you do too :) good luck!

for long body and short legs:

'crop top' jersey or shirt
high waisted trousers or skirt

that is such a depressing thing to say! 'im so sorry but if they wanted you for the job, they would have already offered it to you' - she has been invited for an interview - they wouldnt have invited her if they had already decided that they didnt want her - you missed the crucial clue - she has an invitation, she didnt invite herself.... glass half full...

I’d go for a plain coloured shift style dress and team it with a smart cardigan to avoid it looking too office-y.

Phase Eight are worth looking at and their prices are better than Hobbs.