Staff Dress Code in Schools

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I work in a secondary school that's part of a MAT. They have a dress code that involves ties for men and jackets for everyone.
I find this old-fashioned and ridiculous. It makes us look out of touch imo, and certainly not professional in the way the trust leaders think.
Thankfully it's not very strictly enforced.
I'm curious as to what the usual is in schools these days.

My daughter is a teacher in a MAT and also has to wear a jacket - though she doesn't necessarily wear one while she is teaching.

Essentially the dress code for teachers is the same as it is for 6th form students, which doesn't seem unreasonable.

Our sixth formers have a casual dress code with just a few rules about basic covering up.
I agree that if the sixth form have to dress a certain way, it would be unreasonable for staff to have to be less smart, but I'd ask my original question about sixth forms too: why in schools are we dressing in a way that most workplaces have now moved away from?

A jacket sounds really OTT to me! I don’t even own one.

My school is relatively relaxed, no jeans or trainers and no strappy tops in summer, but otherwise the policy is quite chill. We are trusted as adults to dress appropriately and there haven’t been any issues since I’ve been there, apart from once an email went out reminding us to cover up tattoos!

Smart casual for us (also a large MAT) which is reasonable as the dress code for the children is quite relaxed (they can have make up, false lashes, nails which I've never heard of from another school).
I agree jackets are a bit much and also very expensive for an under paid profession

In mine, men have to wear ties but there's no policy about jackets for anyone.

Men aren't allowed to wear shorts in summer (unless PE) and neither are the kids, which I think is more ridiculous than the tie policy.

I thought that was normal for all schools?

DS is expected to wear a suit/smart trousers and jacket and a tie. No trainers, even black. He's OK with that except in the height summer when he and several other male teachers made a stand last year about women being able to wear light tops and sleeveless dresses without jackets in summer while the men were still expected to continue with their dress code year round. It was agreed that the jacket could be dispense with in hot weather whilst teaching.
Seems a bit harsh but the school has strong uniform and behaviour policies which appear to pay off as he describes behaviour at the school as very good, which judging by the many threads on here is a rarity.

Our dress code is around 15 years old and was written by a former Head who was a bully. You aren't meant to have any piercings other than one in each earlobe. I had 2 in each when I started there and said that I was sorry about it, but wouldn't be changing anything. I only wore studs anyway. Lots of colleagues now have a selection including nose piercings and the current Head doesn't seem bothered. It also states that shoes have to be closed and not trainers unless you teach PE. I have worn trainers every day so far this academic year and nobody has said anything and I am most definitely not a PE teacher. I do have an old injury and lots of metal in one leg; the trainers make lots of standing up or doing outdoor duties more comfortable.

I have been teaching for over 30 years and am at the stage of my career and life that I don't care what people think. If a rule makes zero sense to me, I don't enforce it, for example students are meant to ask me before they take their blazers off. What a load of bollocks! I tell every class in my 1st lesson with them that they don't need to waste lesson time asking me if they can remove their blazer, just do it without fuss for the rest of the time I teach them.

The jacket thing is another example of pettiness. As part of my job, I play an instrument. A jacket makes it almost impossible to do so properly. Before anyone points out that professional musicians wear DJs or tails, I agree, but they are made of much thinner material than the average women's jacket. I would simply point out that it didn't work; would they prefer me to wear the jacket and not play/teach the instrument, or allow me not to wear it?

Edited to add that behaviour and results are excellent and people move to get their kids into the school.

Malbecfan I too am enjoying the rebellion that comes with having been a teacher for such a long time

DH is in a secondary with a very strict dress code for pupils & staff. It results in him being on school trips in a 3 piece suit which imo is just daft but his view is the policy is the policy so never mind.

My school on the other hand is very relaxed, so I will often wear trainers. Much more practical than heels for the kinds of activities my day involves. Jeans is about the only boundary but some TAs do wear jeans.

Professional clothing has changed so much recently, especially post covid. Schools seem a bit behind the curve with staff dress codes & pupil uniforms.

It's so out of date. Our school says no trainers but the kids are allowed to wear them so I ignore it. It's not footwear choice that makes some people crap teachers!

Ours is pretty relaxed. Tattoos need to be covered, and male staff are expected to wear shirts and ties, but as for female staff it's fairly flexible

I tend to do t-shirts and smart trousers or t-shirts and patterned skirts, jumpers or cardigans when it's chilly - I've even whacked the black Uggs out this winter!😂

Ours is quite relaxed. No tattoos on show or denim, but otherwise staff wear a mix of styles. Many female staff wear the ubiquitous tunic, leggings, black trainers which is practical and comfortable when you’re on your feet all day. (Secondary).

I'm not sure my school even has a dress code. No blue jeans maybe, but leggings and trainers are fine. Men certainly don't wear suits and ties - more like trousers and a jumper. Mainstream primary.

For me, a school with a strict dress code would be a red flag because they care more about appearances than practicality.

Office wear is just not practical for a teacher because our job doesn't involve sitting at a desk all day. We are very active, we stand for long periods, we're constantly moving, bending down, stretching and carrying sets of books etc. and depending on the role a and subject, a lot of other things such as operating equipment etc. So it's impractical to expect us to dress like we spend the day sitting at a computer. Formal shoes, jackets (and ties for men) are completely unsuitable for this type of role.

I know some people try and argue that if students are expected to wear a uniform, then teachers should dress smartly. I'm not getting into the uniform debate in itself, but will say that for the most part, a pupil's routine is similar to an office. They spend most of the day sitting at a desk or walking around a building. For subjects like PE, they do change their clothes. Their role isn't comparable to a teacher so saying they should dress the same doesn't make sense.

Our primary school's dress code is just that you mustn't be able to see up it, down it or through it..

My school is rather scruffy for which I think we're all grateful!