Piercings at school

[Suzysheep23]

Does anyone know why staff and sixth formers would have more relaxed rules on piercings etc than students in years 7-11? They’re in the same environment doing the same tasks and lessons, still representing the school, so what’s the difference please? (I know they are to be removed for PE due to health and Safety.) In addition to this is your right to self expression and equality only limited to the categories LGBTQ? Can you not just identify as a person who has piercings?? (Amongst many others - although why we must be categorised is another debate!) Are we not trying to eradicate discrimination and judging in this day and age? So far the only reply to this is “rules are rules” which isn’t really answering my question.

Interested to follow this. Dd had her seconds done, which is allowed in the 6th form rules but not in her year. Additionally, 6th formers are allowed nose piercings but lower years not. Again, same school, classrooms et al as above.

My school used to say it was because children under the age of 16 cannot consent to having a piercing and so any that do have it done had parents who allowed them to which puts pressure on parents to conform regardless of their own views on the matter.

Also the jewellery itself can cause issues. Expensive jewellery can be lost or stolen. Cheap jewellery can cause issues. Also highlights the haves and have nots. Who can afford X, who's wearing what brand etc.

My DCs went to a US high school with a very loose dress code. Piercings, hair colour, facial hair, and any other forms of self expression through personal appearance were fine, apart from offensive slogans on clothing or shaved into hair.

Students were expected and able to manage their own feelings wrt the perceived price of other people's jewelery or clothing or any other markers of affluence or the opposite. They were also able to manage their own choices and the consequences if the earrings or nose rings or eyebrow piercings or hair dyeing caused issues. Imagine a world where people are expected to just get on with life, make their own choices, live with the consequences, and in general mind their own business...

Also, the idea that students are 'representing the school' would have been greeted with bewilderment.

Hilarious. Staff are...adults who are working. They are also able to do all kinds of other things that students are not allowed to do.

Sixth formers are presumably being treated more as adults and are therefore given more freedom.

Is this so tricky to understand?

But they are in the same lesson doing the same thing? The other rules that differ is usually down to medical grounds like drinking and smoking etc. also why can you identify as a cat, or a dog but not have piercings? Is that so tricky to understand?

At the minute all that is said is that adults have different rules but usually that’s for a reason like drinking and smoking etc. if they’re in the same building, conducting the same tasks, I fail to see why just because “adults have different rules!” Rules should evolve if there is no justification in my opinion!

Do you think that’s just an excuse/cop out? I as a parent allowed them, as does the law so I fail to see why the school should dictate when they are not leading by example? You could lose your bag/coat etc and parents could be pressure to buy them too 🤷🏼‍♀️

Teachers and 6th form don't wear uniform. No piercings is part of the uniform code which no doubt was available to you when you chose the school

Well! The rules actually said no visible piercing so we put her hair over it, they sanctioned her after asking her to move her hair. Then we put a plaster over it so they updated the policy to say no upper earrings or plasters permitted in direct retaliation to us. So that is not the case!

Staff should set an example imo. There’s one teacher for eg that piss my daughters right off. She’s got a bit of a Diet Coke addiction, and will spend the lesson chugging the cans of coke sat on her desk while the children are only allowed water. She pulled my 12yo dd on Monday for wearing a very thin white ribbon in her hair and made her take it out, it was the wrong colour apparently. But the girl next to her has 3 ear piercings when only one is allowed, nothing ever gets said to her. My dd felt like there was a bit of karma Tuesday morning when that same teacher was at the sidelines when she was in a dodgeball match, she decided to barge into the match and ‘help’ the losing team (which wasn’t my DD’s), and promptly fell over in her high heels (which students are also not allowed) and did her ankle in. I guess she should have been following the students rules 🤷🏼‍♀️😂

Every member of staff went to school as a pupil and was subject to the same or similar rules.

By that token, why don't the staff wear school uniform?

But why on earth do you think a staff member should be following student rules?

You are being silly, op.

That's strange. In the high school my DCs went to the staff had quite a strict dress code and tended to dress as if in an office environment, so the complete opposite of British expectations.

1. I don't know anyone who identifies as a cat or dog. Plus I have no idea what this has to do with piercings.
2. They are not IN the same lesson. The adult is teaching the students. They are in their workplace leading the activities. By your logic the teachers could refuse to work, go to sick bay or have a hissy fit and be removed from class.

It is nonsensical.

Suzysheep rather than piss around trying to work out why your dd shouldn't have to follow the uniform rules why not just get on with going to school and learning. You are wasting everyone's time. The school are not going to care about your ramblings about a teacher's earrings.

FFS OP- grow up!

As a teacher I have a dress code as do the sixth form. I do not do PE or move that much around the school site.

I do tie my hair back for practicals, wear closed shoes, safety goggles etc

I also wear a smart watch and rings - but I’m over 19 and risk assessments for me are different. I don’t have to follow instructions as I am the teacher. I have a scarf on but remove it to do a practical. Likewise my year 12/13 do the same.

I don’t really understand what you are saying, I have a water bottle do I drink it in lessons - sometimes despite being in a lab - if I have been teaching 5 hours but I don’t have chemicals in my lab. Sometimes shock horror of my lab is hot and I’m working at my computer I put my flip flops on !! Do I follow H and S yes.

It's policy - it's not a debate. Presumably the rule was there before you took her to get it done.

piercingmania.co.uk/labret-retainer-with-press-fit

Would this be even less visible if you wanted to try and continue with it?

But many rules evolve and have done since they went to school

Well! The rules actually said no visible piercing so we put her hair over it, they sanctioned her after asking her to move her hair. Then we put a plaster over it so they updated the policy to say no upper earrings or plasters permitted in direct retaliation to us. So that is not the case!
they even say no clear retainers

It’s more the right to express yourself but you can’t express yourself through a piercing? Why is the right to express yourself by wearing earrings any less important than the right to express yourself as something or someone else?

You’re in the same room doing the same thing as you’re teaching them to do it so what difference does it make if you’re stood at the front of the class wearing piercings or sat down at the back of the class wearing earrings?

if it’s deemed smart for staff then why is it not deemed smart for pupils?