Smarten up
Tories to back dress codes for teachers
Michael Gove, the Conservatives’ education spokesman, has said that his party will back those schools which introduce a dress code for their staff.
I have a long memory (which sometimes is reliable and at other times is not) but when I was a pupil at South Shields Grammar School for Boys the teaching staff wore gowns and coloured capes, depending upon their degrees, it hardly seemed to bother them or the pupils. We had a certain amount of respect for them and we had a uniform of our own, and William Egner, the headmaster, even introduced short gowns for those sixth formers who were elected as prefects.
The staff at my children’s school in South Shields all appear to be well presented in a formal business like attire and I have yet to hear of any other school in South Tyneside where the teaching staff are allowed to wear denim or leather! So it comes as a little surprise to learn that sloppy dress codes are entertained in certain other educational establishments within the UK. My own view is that the teaching delivery and presentation is probably far more important than the £49 ASDA suit.
- I wonder if it ought to be the role of politicians to determine or favour dress codes for staff, whatever the profession?
- Whether parents would be overly upset if teacher wore jeans and a t-shirt?
- Should it not be the role of school governors and local authorities to determine the policy in these areas and then ensure that it is followed?
- If we agree that schoolchildren should wear a uniform, should it not be then commensurate for staff to dress in an appropriate business fashion?
What are your views?
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Bring back corduroy jackets with elbow patches!
Bryan
May 15, 2008 at 1:44 pm
And hiking socks, of course. Honestly, doesn’t Michael Gove have more pressing matters to think about? It’s the person, not the clothes.
Michael
May 16, 2008 at 7:14 am
Perhaps it would be a tad tricky to impose a dress code for our teachers when some of our elected councillors choose to attend meetings wearing jeans and polo shirts!?
What say you, Curly?
David Potts
May 17, 2008 at 9:44 pm
One could say in relation to those in public life, people in glass houses…….etc.
curly
May 18, 2008 at 12:05 am
Corporate workwear is in and has been for a number of years look around so why not teachers.
For that matter lets have a dress code for taxi drivers, you never know what’s about to turn up at your door.
Wilf Flynn
May 18, 2008 at 10:29 am
Corporate workwear!!!??
You never saw Hitler in jeans and a t-shirt, did you?
Michael
May 19, 2008 at 6:51 pm