What would you wear for first day as a teacher?

[frogswimming]

I am a mature student, starting teaching course next year. I know teachers wear jeans, trainers etc day to day now. For a first day what would you wear? Would a blazer and trousers be ok?

My school is a little bit more casual, and I wear smart trousers, blouse, smart jumper or cardigan at this time of year. For events such as open evening I wear a blazer, doesn't have to perfectly match to make a suit. I'm a science teacher so I wear a lab coat for practical work.

Generally I wear flats, but I have worn ankle boots with a small heal in the past. You are on your feet all day so shoes must be comfy! Also I would always closed toed shoes in case you have to go into a DT or science lab for some reason.

I'm with you on this and feel even more strongly about not wearing makeup.

But we are in the minority, you can't in all honestly frame it like a rule to follow. Plenty of female teachers in every school wear both make up and heels

Thanks all!

I'm in Ireland and i wear a mix of jeans runners hoodies tracksuit bottoms etc.
We have a welcome to our school pack for subs and students on placement with the dress code which is basically just nothing ripped inappropriate slogans etc mainly common sense.
I do find placement students dress better than the staff!

I think it really depends on the country. I teach in a state middle school in France and I live in jeans, trainers and hoodies (there's a real mixture of styles amongst my colleagues ranging from suits with ties to tracksuits or bohemian and goth looks). DD goes to a private (Catholic) middle school, its pretty similar there, I think the only outfits deemed inappropriate would be something like a crop top and stilettos. Oh and ripped jeans (I tried, it was frowned upon).
If you are in France I'd recommend layers as heating can be quite hit and miss 😅

you wore heels on building sites? Not someone who I would consider a suitable role model to young girls at all, you might as well just order them to put a pinny on and lie down on the bed

It is not "grand" to perpetuate misogynistic stereotypes. You need to be thinking about a lot more than whether to where jeans and trainers before you take it upon yourself to appoint yourself a role model in a girls school

I work in a role that involves going into schools and working with children at primary and secondary level.
Post COVID a black jean with smarter boots or shoes seems ok. Everyone wears cardigans more than blazers at primary, except maybe the head/deputy if non- teaching. Secondary is more variable school to school. Done are very casual and others really quite formal. Non- jean trousers, blouse and smarter cut cardi is a good middle ground suitable in most.
Swede would be upset, but I wear a low wedge heel. I cannot wear flat shoes comfortably.

There's a school on my way to work and I see the teachers. They wear sensible shoes, they're smart but comfy looking. And they wear them with kind of sensible "academic" clothing. I would do a few walks past the school at arrival and departure time to get a sense for your new school, good luck!

I'm in and out of schools for my work, I'd say the female teachers are brand ambassadors for seasalt around my way, paired with tights or leggings if a shorter dress, flat boots (ankle or knee high) or sensible shoes, add a smarter cardigan or soft jacket for warmth. It might be partly that my town only has 3 shops selling new clothes - a pricey boutique, one selling seasalt and mistral clothes and Sainsburys!

I wear heels a lot and have done everything listed in number 1.

As for the rest, titillation of men?? Parading around??

because you have given yourself a medical problem by wearing heels and not only have you perpetuated the misogyny in society by conforming to it, you are likely to need costly medical interventions at some stage, and taxpayers will be expected to pick up the tab.

so yes, in a 21st century western democracy, that is somewhat upsetting.

I don't teach but I am in and out of schools and tbh my dress code is similar to what I see teachers wearing, for women it's largely dresses, around knee length, nothing too tight or low cut, black thick tights, flat boots and cardigans or blazers over the top. In warmer times I see more tops/blouses, wide leg trousers and flat shoes. In summer even the odd open toe with a dress.

I think you'll be hard pressed to find a completely flat boot even my rocket dog Chelsea boots have about a one inch block heel (rubber sole so great for running swede and no damage to my feminist leanings)

well, you wont have done it as effectively as someone in flat shoes, and yes, the sole purpose of heels is to disable women for the titillation of men. That is why they exist. They were originally designed for cavalry soldiers, but guess what, we are not charging into battle on horseback, are we. men just discovered that putting women in heels meant for cavalry soldiers when they were not even riding made it harder for them to move around on the ground, showed off bums and legs and more flattering angels and made women prettily helpless.

They cause long term medical issues, and cost the NHS billions

This is why women's heels exist. If you wear them you are colluding with this.

I wear Boden dresses, comfy shoes and a cardigan!

Boots I wear to work with a block heel, are these offensive to you Swede? I don't think DH finds them particularly titillating

The girls who have already decided that any sort of heels damage woman's health for the titillation of men will view you with contempt the moment they see you in any heels, low or not.

😂

I don’t think a single problem that might have happened in the 17 years I’ve been teaching is because my Clarks court shoes exist for the titillation of men 😂

First time I wore these one of my team asked if I was planning on 'kicking any doors in today' (my role leads a multi disciplinary unit I'm not a police officer but I do manage some) , to be fair that might be titillating to some

Yes, my 1.5 inch wedged mum boots have caused many a man to slaver uncontrollably as I lumber past.

And since I have reached my late 50s now and paid tax and national insurance for 35 years, should I need an operation on my feet that I have apparently utterly destroyed by my wanton wearing of said orthopedic mum boots, I have probably paid for it myself.

It's a funny crusade to get so steamed up about, with everything else out there that's awful, why get so disproportionately angry about this? Image of my current school boots attached. Shockingly misogynistic.

A woman who previously worked in a very male dominated environment not suitable for being a role model for girls? Really?

Making sweeping statements about someone's suitability, based on a single question on a style a beauty board doesn't make you seem particularly open minded. Personally, I think open mindedness is quite near the top if the list in values I'd hope to find in teachers. Much more important on their views on heels

At DT’s school the teachers wore jeans, hoodies and trainers - same as the pupils - non uniform school.

A suit would look very out of place where I teach. Most days I wear a high neck knee length dress with thick black tights and a cardigan.

Also live in Ireland and my DDs attended an all girls Carhloic school and now secondary school. Dress code is very casual and teachers regularly wear jeans and trainers. I'm happy for teachers to wear what they want. Wouldn't give a second glance at clothes or footwear choices..

Those are my school boots, @DrRuthGalloway ! Comfy and cosy...

I'm going to break with the crowd here - I work at an inner city primary school in London and we are very much a 'jeans and trainers' school. I'd err on the side of caution for your first day though and wear something in the middle - can't go wrong with dark colours and 'proper' shoes (no trainers).

.I know teachers wear jeans, trainers etc day to day now

I have never taught in a primary school in England where jeans/trainers would be allowed under the dress code. I would love to teach somewhere where I could wear jeans though!!