Clothing

[Sofabitch]

So I'm about to start my teacher training (secondary science). I'm going to need to go shopping as I've always had jobs where I can wear jeans and trainers and have never had to dress to any code.

What sorts of things do people recommend I get as a starter capsual type wardrobe to add to?

I have long standing body jewlery that I won't negotiate on. But i guess that would come up in interview?

I think that if they can see your nipple ring, you've probably gone too casual.

I doubt they will have a dress code that bans invisible jewellery. For visible jewellery it's pretty common to have to take out eyebrow, nose, etc. rings. Some of it could be health and safety related. I guess ask for a copy of the staff handbook and see what it says about dress code.

@BitOfFun

My wife usually wears a trouser and a casual blouse. She really looks decent and amazing.

bitoffun

OP As a trainee, going in with the attitude 'I won't compromise on my body jewellery' isn't really a good idea in ny opinion and would get some responses from schools. Whatever the placement dress code is, you follow it. Placements are hard enough to find without having trainees saying they'll only want somewhere they can keep their piercings.

When you come to job hunting you could mention it, but be prepared that it may not be taken well by the interview panel. It would seem odd to place ability to wear pieces of metal above a job somewhere you want to work. Of course, you may decide you don't want to work anywhere that doesn't allow visible piercings and tattoos, but then you are limiting your employment options.

:-) well we shall see.

But I'm firmly of the opinion that my single small viable piercing doesn't affect my teaching ability.

Teaching has a major recruitment and retention crisis. Perhaps the reasons for this are tangible if they are writing off large sections of society.

I'm primary but dresses, tights and ankle boots are what I wear for most of the year.

Again, it depends on the school and area. Many Brighton primaries have no issues with piercings, tattoos, hair colour or style. Many schools in Mid Sussex wouldn’t consider you. I agree that you probably wouldn’t be happy in a school that had a problem with your piercing, so it’s going to be a useful filter for you.

@Sofabitch wow!! I think you are going in with quite the wrong attitude!! As a trainee you're there to learn and fit in with the culture and ethos of the schools that offer you a training place. You are not doing them the favour!! When it comes to choosing the school you want to work for your nqt year, by all means if your piecing(s) are so important to you that you would limit your search to schools that would accept them then that will of course be your decision. However in the meantime for the sake of passing the professional standards in your placement schools, quite frankly you'll need to put up and shut up!

:-) put up and shut up...what start my teaching proffesion as I mean to go on bending over and taking it like a bitch until I burn out? ;) I'm joking! in case you can't tell.

I have visible tattoos too ;) should I get them layered off in preperation. I was offered a place on all three of my applications. So I'm guessing it wasn't a problem at interview.

I'll be a good teacher. I'm hardworking and determined and I'm pretty sure I shouldn't have to compromise my entire identity for that.

Good point about the nipple bars...mine are stretched to quite large so they are often noticeable. I'll add thicker bras to my shopping list.

I think you are right in that I won't be happy in some types of schools. So it will be a good filter.

Thank you to all the useful advice on clothing. Conservative semi conforming me here I come.

@Sofabitch are you doing a pgce? If so you won't get to choose the schools you are placed at.

Not relevant to the OP but I work in primary and our head says we can wear anything provided you can’t see up it, down it or through it.

When i was working in schools i used to go to m&s and buy their formal boring trousers in each colour so black , navy , brown , grey as then you can match it up with different coloured tops which i would pick up cheaply in places like matalan and asda it was very boring and teachery but did the job , not at all what i would wear normally

H&M for most stuff, I had black H&M cigarette trousers, 2x smart, plain white shirts, a smart jumper, a smart grey, light weight blazer with 3/4 sleeves, and a few smartish short sleeve patterned tops nothing more than £10 (from anywhere like matalan, asda, gap in the sale etc). I definitely went for the smarter look as a newer teacher, would probably go more casual as I got more years under belt. Also, really comfy flats were important for me I went for Clarks and they are still good 4 years later www.clarks.co.uk/c/Andora-Crush/p/26127154 I would invest money in comfy shoes.

Just read your other posts about tattoos and piercings. Thinking if you didn't want to be too conservative and keep some of your image I would go smart shoes, smart trousers, blazer and then build up from their with your own style of top (bold / brights / prints) and some bright accessories. I think if you've got smart staples you can get away with less conservative (and I don't mean revealing) tops and accessories as you will still look smart. I remember a teacher at old school who wore amazing, chunky accessories everyday, she looked amazing and professional. Kids will pick up on what you wear and judge you on it so think about what impression you want to make on them as well as your new employer.

sofa
If I can be honest (and avoid any silly 'no wonder there's a recruitment crisis' responses), if a trainee teacher turned up and their primary concern was their desire to wear piercings and have their tattoos on show then there's every chance they'll end up being viewed like the students taking the view of 'but what difference does X Y Z make?' Places in life have rules. Sometimes we like them. Other times we don't. Sometimes we just have to suck it up and follow them and if we want to challenge them then raise it internally.

I don't mean to be harsh, but I'd question if 'but I want to wear...' really is a professional hill to die on (I had a facial piercing for years and didn't wear it in school & colleagues cover tattoos. None of us lost our identity or found ourselves lamenting the fact we had to "conform").

You don't have to lose individuality. You just have to look professional.

You might want to brush up on your spellings of profession, jewellery and preparation whilst thinking the teaching profession should be so damned well happy to have you.

Sorry : don't normally pick up on spelling in MN posts but your arrogance and self assurance is breath-taking.

I have at no point said that my jewlery was my primary concern! I actually came on here to get advice as to clothing. I actually hadn't even considered that my single piercing might even be an issue. It's not come up at interview.

But it's a valid discussion. Some of these policies might put off perfectly good applicants from applying or even staying in teaching. I don't think such ridged policies are conducive to being a good teacher.

Thank you for pointing out my spellings...I generally type quickly on my phone on mumsnet and don't pay a significant amount of attention to my spelling punctuation and grammar. Good job I won't be teaching English ;)

I absolutely haven't been arrogant beyond saying I wouldn't take my piercing out and that it's probably representative of deeper issues within teaching. Esspecially if teachers are afraid to challenge the status quo and support fellow teachers.

All teachers are teachers of English OP.

A good thing to remember for an interview answer!

I swapped my nose stud for a clear one for a placement. Oh and I couldn't wear my favorite shoes because they are a 'sling back' but they are loafers at the front.

and dress codes do vary : there isn't one in my school, although I am sure someone might speak to anyone who looked a bit unprofessional.

I don't think you really genuinely know yet what makes a good teacher. One of the more difficult aspects of it is enforcing rules you don't really believe in yourself!

Get yourself some smart trousers, or some knee length skirts/ jersey dresses and you'll be fine.

I never wear my lanyard so I do stage my own rebellions!

I had four inch heel wedges on today : open at front and back

That was a joke piggy...I guess you've had a sense of humour failure.

I'm still not concerned about my spelling on a forum.

A clear option might be a suitable alternative. Thank you. I'll look into those!

:-) no lanyard rebellion. I like it.

You're right though. I might be a terrible teacher and I'm sure I'm in for a steep learning curve. But right now I feel I have a lot to give. But giving up my eyebrow ring might have been a step too far ;) I've already got rid of the blue hair and will have to wear alien clothes to me.