Guest Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 As you know I start a new job in just over a weeks time. I just got the induction booklet through and reading it has left me worried. There is the usual blurb on dress code, no problem as I am very smart and love wearing suits (really!) there is a bit that worries me though. "The governing body would wish to see staff attired in a smart and professional manner which promotes a businesslike ethos to visitors and sets a good example to students, and would consider the following to be unsuitable: ......haristyles involving shaved patterns/unnatural colour (this refers to colours such as brigh red/pink/green etc, NOT a colour change in the normal range of hair colours)." I have pink streaks in my hair. They were plum coloured but over the summer have faded to a pinky colour. They are quite noticable especially at the front. I have this done regularly BUT when I went for this interview they had completely faded out. Then I had them done very boldy at the start of the summer hols knowing they wouldn't be so bold by September. And they are not but they are pink. Should I go and get them coloured out with boring brown streaks next week? (I'm trying to economise!). I don't want to start on a poor footing - although as time has passed I have convinced myself this is a bad move. Oh and my timetable got sent with one less free than I was promised...AND they seem to have given me a year 9 tutor group and I seem to have to teach them PSHE EVERY week which was NEVER mentioned (all of this is a total nightmare to me - I'm at my best with years 10 and 11 and I HATE PSHE). If this doesn't work out I'm going to beg my old head for a job - any job - at the school I loved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 Hi Penguinmad - not sure my advice will help as I guess deep down I am simply a conformist. I used to teach in a CoE secondary school, where I was Head of Science. I appointed a lovely girl - Physicist - extremely rare breed! I ended up having to give her discrete advice on dress code as my head was really unhappy about her dress code. To be honest she was just a bit ethnic - toe rings, ankle chains, nose stud, assorted mismatched tops and bottoms. It took me a while but eventually I had a word with her and she duly conformed. I hated myself for having to do it. The kids loved her - she was a really good teacher and to my way of thinking THAT IS WHAT REALLY MATTERS!! She stuck it for two years and left. Message? If I am honest, be yourself. Reality check - if it is really obvious, tone it down a bit - after all you are wearing a suit! My previous head and her governing body were really strict re dress code. She expected office code. This meant men in jackets on the corridor!!! At the end of the day it is up to you -but it is not easy in our job at the best of times without making things more difficult for yourself. PS I too have left - could stand the head no longer! Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I'm afraid I'd say keep the hair colour too! If you smartly dressed and setting a good example in the way they behave, teach well, then a few coloured streaks just show that you can be yourself and yet conform Does that make sense? Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackiepoppies Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Gordon Brown has silver streaks and Boris Johnson yellow What's wrong with a few pink You look smart, I assume you're clean and don't smell and you can teach......keep your individuality [and I bet the kids love you just the way you are] Jackiex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Smartly dressed, well groomed, but with a touch of flair like some discrete pink streaks sounds spot on to me. There is a world of difference between that and looking like a gap year student or a squatter. A bit of quirkiness, which will give a clue to your personality is far more likely to get the pupils interest and attention than a rigid perm, no make-up and a pair of sensible brown lace ups. Surely what matters most is whether the staff can actually teach Keep the streaks and be yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Thanks guys - I think you confirmed some of how I feel. I started getting the coloured streaks put in after I saw a member of SLT with pink streaks - she was responsible for uniform. When I was interviewed for my last job I had noticable purple streaks - its just that I know they were totaly faded out to nothing when I had this interview. They aren't really punky or way out and they do go with my smart dress - I wear a lot of pink and purple toned jackets. I am very smart - usually on a training day I'm one of the smartest as I like to wear a smart jacket with jeans etc and a T shirt for me is more likely to be per una than have a slogan. In fact I only really wear my Omlet T shirt for hen parties as it's not smart enough for other things! I am an individual and the kids do seem to like that - I am also a good teacher and I get a lot of respect from the kids so I will stick with who I am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackiepoppies Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Jackiex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Keep the hair - I wonder if my head would like me to cover the ample white streaks that I have. He spent the whole of the summer term ranting on about staff dress code - amongst other things. I have perfected ( I hope) a facial expression that says I'm listening and I'm interested but I have actually zoned out !! It doesn't make me a bad person and is just a self preservation strategy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Stick to your guns Pengy; it wouldn't be 'you' without something individual and non-conformist. Our office is pretty smart and I've got away with all sorts of hair colours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I agree Pengy - be pink & proud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I agree that if you're smartly dressed, then pink streaks should be fine - and I'd rather have someone smart with a bit of pink, than someone wearing a grubby old suit who doesn't bother washing their hair at all! Just one thing occurs to me though, playing devil's advocate - is the dress-code about setting an example to the pupils? In other words, will it mean that pupils will say 'well, Miss has pink streaks, so why can't I'? Maybe you could speak discreetly to the Head or someone else on the first day, explain you had them done over the summer and you expected them to have faded by 1 September and see what the response is like? Then if they think you should dye them out, you won't have blotted your copybook by appearing to just disregard the rules. I don't think you should suppress your personality, but it's a new job and you probably don't want to start battling authority on the first day. Don't panic Pengy, there is always the euphoria when you get a new job, followed by the anxiety that it's going to be worse than the one you left - I bet you will soon settle into this one, and hopefully it can't be as bad as the place you were before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 'well, Miss has pink streaks, so why can't I'? That could be why they've said it or it could just be the governors are really old fashioned. The staff wear a lot of things that the kids aren't allowed to - particularly the women with their shoes etc and it's one of those things the kids have to learn - rules are not the same for everyone! Also that "rank has its priveledges". Other parts of the dress code say things like "no visible tatoos" - there was a technician at my last school with tatooed hands! The one on his neck could be covered with a collar and tie but the hands couldn't and they gave him the job anyway. I'll keep my midriff covered though - wouldn't want to break that rule (esp if you saw my midriff!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clash City Rocker Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Could I "see your midriff" I hate being told how to dress, always have done. My personal favourite is to wear Doc Martins with my DJ at Black tie events rather than shinny patent shoes. Don't let em grind you down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Oh well Pengy, if the streaks have to go, then you could always wear purple undies... then you'd still be a purple queen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 If my daughters school is anything to go by any sort of individuality is severely frowned upon and in fact pupils are sent home not sure what they do to the teachers though I have to agree with olly I think testing the water on the first day is a good solution if you need to cover them just use a semi nearest to your current colour which will blend them in hey presto gone I have red streaks but I am not working at present but I would go to an interview with them in If I got the Job great if not, because of my hair colour then I dont want the job anyway I am not a teacher though it is a whole different ball game setting a good example and all that Good luck whatever you decide on yours first day Kitty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I agree with Olly Test the water. We are having a uniform change this year with the students now wearing a jacket and tie - They look lovely. Staff have been asked to wear smart things. My colleague has red tips to her dark hair but it is not hugely noticeable. If yours stand out then seek advice from the head. It is always difficult/uncomfortable for someone if they have to come and speak to you. Rules are diferent for staff and hopefully it should be fine Good luck in the new job I hope you find that you love this school as well once you get over the first few weeks!! I just wish that the start of term was later than 1st Sept as my eglu doesn't arrive until Friday Take care, Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 The staff wear a lot of things that the kids aren't allowed to - particularly the women with their shoes etc and it's one of those things the kids have to learn - rules are not the same for everyone! Also that "rank has its priveledges". Hear hear Pengy! That happens in all schools I've been in with girls anyway! I'll keep my midriff covered though - wouldn't want to break that rule (esp if you saw my midriff!) I just wish one or two of the 'ladies' in my school would keep their boobs (sorry bangers thanks Gok) under control, nevermind their midriffs! Maybe this is where I become really oldfashioned. I am not adverse to flaunting what you've got, but one or two of our staff seem to think that efective crowd control for boys comes via the lowest possible cut T shirt and a balcony bra. The trouble is the clearly have no idea of what the boys think about it - whereas I hear about it in my role - boys can b***h on too you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deejmum Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I really hope you can keep your streaks. If you are dressing smartly surely that shows that you are 'conforming' even if your hair is a slightly unusual colour. Is there anyone you can have a quick word with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Ooh, I don't agree that the steaks are part of personality; how people look is not who they are. I think that asking the school beforehand is really good advice. I have a feeling that by including it in the handbook they will ask you to dye your hair, though... i don't really think it's very fair of the school; but then i suppose that it's not really any different from asking for smart dress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I was out today and I saw a woman with bright pink streaks in her hair - this colour! On dark hair it was VERY contrasting. Mine are more this colour and I've decided they are staying. I'm not paying another £75 to have my hair coloured - It'll need doing before Christmas anyway so when I get it done then I'll go for dull - teaching PSHE to year 9 for an hour a week will have probably made me feel dull anyhow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumpty Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 ditto egluntine, I doubt it should make a jot of difference if you have pink streaks, if you are smartly dressed and can do the job, the kids will love it and you'll gain kudos overnight with them. I am not a teacher, but can empathise with you about year 9's, I have a 14 year old son just going into year 10 they're a worrying bunch!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I like your colour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 ooh, I agree, that's a really nice colour and not the BRIGHT PINK I was imagining. Leave them in! Sorry, I assumed that it was a really pink pink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
