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Original poster

Inset day, what should I wear?

25 replies

QuickQuickSleigh · 06/01/2013 15:11

I am a Primary PGCE student and have my first inset day tomorrow. This may seem like a trivial question, but what do people usually wear? Should I be in my teacher clothes or can I wear ordinary (but still decent) clothes.

Possibly the most trivial post ever on MN!

OP posts:
cardibach · 06/01/2013 15:15

It depends on the school a bit. It is normally 'civvies', but you might want to choose more formal/smart ones for your first impression! Not trivial - it is a legitimate worry. Good luck with your PGCE!

MrsHoarder · 06/01/2013 15:18

My attitude to work clothes us if in doubt take the smarter option. Being the only person on teacher clothes would be fat less eyebrow raising than the only person in Jeans.

noblegiraffe · 06/01/2013 15:21

Insets are casual dress, as will be any training courses you go on.

Arisbottle · 06/01/2013 15:25

We have to wear smart casual . No jeans, shirts , leggings etc.

noblegiraffe · 06/01/2013 15:30

Really? Blimey, what's the point in that apart from to make selecting an outfit really annoying? My experience has always been casual, I figured that was normal.

ChippingInLovesChristmasLights · 06/01/2013 15:31

Is there another teacher you could ask what the 'norm' is at your school?

Arisbottle · 06/01/2013 15:32

That should read no shorts not no shirts.

We often have pupils or parents on premises on an INSET day . Maybe in the past someone turned up in something ridiculous . We are a school that seems to have quite high standards of dress. Most staff on suits or formal dress.

ninah · 06/01/2013 15:35

I was planning on wearing jeans, it has been OK at other schools I've worked at but at first placement I'd probably go a bit smarter

Original poster
QuickQuickSleigh · 06/01/2013 15:42

Thanks everyone, both for the advice and not making me feel silly Smile

OP posts:
ninah · 06/01/2013 15:43

good luck!

redandwhitesprinkles · 06/01/2013 15:54

I led inset once as a trainer and all the staff were smarter than me. I was wearing a smart dress-the whole staff wore suits. Jeans would be fine in my school.

EcoLady · 06/01/2013 19:27

As a student, you cannot go wrong if you err on the side of smartness. You can always take a jacket off. If you are in jeans, then make them neat, clean ones with a smart shirt/blouse, rather than a tee shirt & hoodie. Think professional rather than student.

I'm on my first inset tomorrow as the new NQT: 11 schools meeting up. My school-style is smart plan jersey dresses. I'll be in trousers, but plain 'office-style' ones with a shirt, as I'll be climbing on desks later to finish my displays. I had a joint inset on a placement and most folks were in 'school style' rather than casual. Perhaps because it was a very high-profile author as the speaker though?

Amerryscot · 06/01/2013 21:28

Jeans.

BellaVita · 06/01/2013 21:32

Jeans.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 06/01/2013 21:34

Casual. We used to call them 'jeans days'

Waferthinmint · 06/01/2013 21:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dominodonkey · 06/01/2013 21:48

All insets and training I have ever been to have been jeans and t shirts but I agree with others better to be wearing smart trousers and a shirt which wouldn't look wrong either way. A new colleague turned up to his one day training on a school day in jeans and the ht was not impressed at all.

zingally · 05/02/2013 13:57

A perfectly valid question!

When at a new school, I err on the side of caution and dress reasonably smartly for INSET. By that I mean trousers rather than jeans, and a smart jumper or top.

And then if I see all the other staff in jeans and hoodies, I know for next time! No one would ever think less of you for being too smart, but might well do if you look too casual.

An aside - I start a new job next month and went in last week just to fill in the CRB form. Even though it was a very informal visit, I still dressed as if I were coming into work. The last thing you want to do is create the wrong impression before you've even started working there!

I hope the INSET went well! You'll have many to come over the years!

ninah · 05/02/2013 18:26

good luck zingally! hope new job is fab

PGCEnatalie · 29/10/2017 19:08

I’m so happy to have found this thread! I’m in the same position tomorrow; my first ever Inset day and i’m also a PGCE Primary Student on my first SBT. I think I might play it safe with a smart long top, leggings & smart boots + my lanyards. Thanks everyone xx

Rudedog · 29/10/2017 19:13

I would go on the smart, depending on the school and security don't be surprised if someone takes your photograph for a badge - I work with several colleagues who are stuck with photos on badges looking scruffy from INSET days....

Appuskidu · 29/10/2017 19:14

Always jeans in any school I've worked in.

Lizzylou · 30/10/2017 09:22

At our school it always used to be jeans/casual, we have a new Head and it seems now it is normal work clothes.
I was in the same position a few years ago, I understand how worrying it is.

richardbaker1986 · 22/03/2020 19:56

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MiniatureRed · 26/03/2020 22:29

Ahahahah! I couldn't figure out why a 3 year old thread would be commented on until I realised the subtle spam. REPORTED :)

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