Ideas for what to wear working in a secondary school

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After years as a SAHM I have landed a support job in a secondary school and I have no idea what is acceptable in terms of clothing. The interview panel were all male (wearing suits) and the only female member of staff I came into contact with was dressed in a way I can't imagine dressing (big, bold patterns etc).

So, could anyone give me some suggestions as to what type of outfits and shoes I might be looking for.

Sorry if this sounds pathetic, but it's years since I was at school, and I've spent the last ten years in jeans!

I'm early 40s BtW, in case that's relevant.

TIA

Are you working with children or is it more office based?

I'm a secondary teacher and my work 'uniform' is black trousers from m&s or next, short sleeved top and cardigan or jersey jacket (with pockets). Flat shoes from clarks. There's lots of ankle boots and dresses or skirts. Loads of teachers like popsy dresses.

Some schools are smarter than others but you don't need to spend loads on school clothes unless you want to. Layers is better as you can never predict what the temperature will be in different parts of the school. Definitely flat shoes unless you have work heels every day if your life and can walk miles in them!

I emailed and asked for a copy of the dress policy before I started. I also wangled a coffee with my supervisory to be (a man in a suit!) who gave me a bit of a tour and I looked at people as we went.

I made sure I had a couple of smart outfits and waited until I’d been there a couple of weeks before buying anything else. I am a school administrator in a secondary.

Look at the Discounts for Teachers website and sign up, it’s for all school staff and they have some good discounts.

congrats on the new job!

key considerations are avoiding too much cleavage / leg on show. If you will be classroom based support staff, make sure that you can bend in any outfit (i.e. crouching down next to a table to talk to a pupil at eye level) or stretch up to write on a whiteboard comfortably and without revealing unnecessary flesh.

The school will have a dress code for staff - ask for a copy if they haven't offered one to you. Some schools are very formal and will expect everyone in ultra smart formal wear, others are a bit more relaxed. You're best off checking what the situation is before you buy anything new

1 check for any dress policy, this can vary between schools

2 depends on support role, but if in class rooms I'd aim for looking professional but approachable.

3 layers for comfort - different rooms can vary hugely in temperature.

4 fall back costume: black trousers, top, black smart but comfy shoes. I tend to look at supermarket clothes ranges for clothes.

5 best of luck in the new job

I’m a mid 40’s secondary teacher: I wear dresses from Boden (pockets!) that I buy second hand from EBay!

Just get some passable bits / black trousers and a top maybe - for your first few days until you can suss out how people dress once you’re there.

I’m SLT and I started out seriously suited and booted, but now only bother with that for events and important meetings with external people. I worked out pretty quickly the actual dress code was more casual than the written one. Even the Headteacher wears jersey dresses and flats most of the time.

Just don’t wear anything exposing or too casual.

Do you have any work clothes from before? If you do you could just wear those at the start & then see what the norm is. Or you can just ask if there is a dress code? Eg we are expected to wear a jacket rather than knitwear if we are public facing or have meetings etc.

Generally smart trousers & top with a blazer or a dress with a jacket are what people seem to wear. I prefer jersey blazers. And agree with PP that flat shoes are essential.

Sainsburys is normally good for a jersey blazer. Smart enough to to get through a dress code, practical enough to be nice to wear

Thank-you so much everyone. I think the idea of just getting a couple of things and seeing what others wear is probably the way to go. I bought some navy trousers for interview and will look for a nice pair of black ones to get me going. I have a few semi-tailored blouses that will get me going, and will pick up some black flats, as I'm sure I'll get plenty of wear out of those.

Supermarkets are a good call too. When I needed trousers for the interview I never thought of that. I scoured Next and M&S and was really disappointed by the selection, but a quick look at Tu suggests they have far more options.

The role isn't actually classroom based, but involves interventions work with pupils, so will definitely make sure nothing can become revealing as I move around.

I can but dream about fitting into my pre-children clothing Decorhate 😆

Schools vary hugely in how smart or casual the dress is, both in writing and in practice. And within schools the variation can be very wide. Suits, ties, fitted dresses, jackets, stretchy tunics, skinny trousers, long knackered cardigans are all in view at ours.😀 A good rule for any school though is don't wear something if you can see up it, down it, or through it.

Black trousers, black boots and a few long, smart tops and blouses. Cardigans are better if you are moving between classes as temperatures can vary hugely especially in older schools Constantly taking jumpers on and off messes up your hair.

Have a look at Backofthewardrobe70 on insta - she’s a teacher with great style

No boobs, bums or bellies is a good rule pockets and layers are a must, and shoes you can run in if you have to.

In my experience (25 years of teaching) there's always quite a big divide between the formality level of male staff's clothes and female. The men wear suits. The women seem to be on a quite wide spectrum ranging from suit-like to comfy smart-casual (even erring a bit on the more casual side, depending on the school).

Blissfully comfy shoes are a must. Fly London boots are very, very popular with female teachers of a certain age. I live in mine! Today I wore them with a black and white print just-above-knee-length skirt, a plain black long-sleeved t-shirt and a fine-knit green cardigan. Yesterday was black trousers with a White Stuff soft jersey printed shirt .

Yy to nothing that even has a chance of revealing more of you than you'd like. I always wear a vest top under shirts to avoid button gape when moving or midriff being visible if you reach up to a shelf etc!

I'm a teacher. I would say no v necked tops as if u bend over they can be quite revealing. Also no short skirts. Best to wear trousers than leggings as the latter are too casual. You will probably end up with a uniform eventually. Black trousers,smart serviceable cardi and vary the tops- u can inject a bit of colour here. Definitely comfortable shoes. Be prepared with ur portable drink. Good luck. Hope it goes well.