An Ofsted inspector has criticised teachers at a north London school for wearing clothes that are too scruffy and threaten to undermine standards.
Matthew Burton, assistant headteacher at Thornhill Community Academy in Dewsbury and Educating Yorkshire star
Does the way a teacher dresses matter? Yes, I think it does. During and after Educating Yorkshire, a couple of colleagues and I got it in the neck a little for what we chose to wear to work, but there is a line of sartorial propriety that, I would argue, we are absolutely on the right side of.
I wouldn't for a second criticise a teacher who's been working their backside off teaching high quality lessons, inspiring children, and helping them towards our greatest aim – turning young people into model citizens of the world – for having his tie a little loose, for sporting a somewhat jazzy sock, or for having their top button undone, but it's absolutely essential that we practise what we preach.
It would be patronising to ask a child to put their tie on, tuck their shirt in, swap their trainers for shoes or chinos for trousers if I were flouncing around the corridors in a Juicy Couture velour leisure suit and a pair of Crocs. The expectations of a teacher's appearance is bundled together in the wider issue of "professional standards", and although I dig a fancy sock, a skinny tie, and on occasion, battle weary after a long day at the coal face, my tie may slip down, I will always make a conscious effort to dress professionally.
I took part in a radio debate earlier today and one caller made this brilliant comment: "It's a good heart that's important, not a good suit." I'd completely agree, and if a sensible approach is adopted, I'm sure there's a point where the two can perfectly align.
Tanika Gupta, playwright and mother of a pupil at a school criticised in Ofsted report
On one matter we can clearly agree – everyone wants smart teachers. But to reduce the conception of "smart" to their clothing and physical appearance is simply bizarre. Some of my favourite teachers when I was at school would not have passed what appears to be a new Ofsted test. Thankfully we were taught not to judge a book by its cover! It would seem odd to apply that to books but not to people.
This particular story arises from Ofsted comments on my daughter's excellent school, Acland Burghley in Camden. Last week, I was at a parents' evening and was deeply impressed by every teacher I met. I honestly cannot remember what they were wearing – but they were passionate and inspiring about their subjects, which is what matters.
Unfortunately, Matthew, much of your argument is redundant because Acland Burghley, like most schools in Camden, does not have a school uniform – so no teachers are going around forcing children to put a tie on! Surely it is time that we got away from neo-Victorian attitudes and militaristic models of schooling. It is worrying that Ofsted is wasting its energies and ours by focusing on the superficiality of appearances rather than what lies inside.
MB Delighted to hear that the inspiration shone through at your daughter's parents' evening – I'm utterly of the opinion that schools are "good", "outstanding", or indeed any other Ofsted label, almost solely because of what goes on in the classroom. If, as a parent, you can look a teacher in the eye and see that absolute, unadulterated passion for education, and a burning desire to help your child get where they want to be, then you know your daughter's education is in safe hands.
The very same was ingrained into me throughout my upbringing – to not judge a book by its cover – but I think the reality is that immediate perceptions are formed within seconds of meeting a person, and we are conditioned to expect a certain "uniform" that certain professions "should" sport. Smartness is a combination of things, I agree; body language, communication and relationships are all part of forming those immediate perceptions, but appearance is a large part of that. The stereotype associated with teachers' clothing is a thing of legend. Arguably, the most famous example would be the geography teacher in a tweed jacket with leather elbow patches delivering a decree from the front of the classroom, but that has undoubtedly changed. I absolutely love people expressing individuality through their "get-up"; my skinny suits, floral pocket handkerchiefs and brown brogues wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, but, for me, the suit is the thing that turns me from Matthew to Mr Burton. If I rocked up in jeans and a T-shirt, I think the kids would be baffled.
TG As a woman, I have some experience of being judged on the basis of how I dress and, for me, this is a deeply problematic area. I believe we should avoid anything that panders to prejudices. I do agree that first impressions are important and I too like smart dressers but I do not agree that teachers should be criticised on their work clothes.
It is important to note that Acland Burghley is a diverse, inclusive and truly comprehensive school with specialist arts college status. It is supposed to be ahead of the curve on encouraging creative expression and one of the ways that many young people choose to express themselves is through their clothing. Nevertheless, Acland Burghley has clear and reasonable guidelines about what is acceptable and these guidelines are respected by both teachers and students. To create a different and narrower set of rules for teachers would be against the ethos of the school.
The real problem here is that Ofsted is passing comments on something that has nothing to do with improving learning and a lot to do with perpetuating irrational prejudices.
MB As a chap, I, too, have some experience of the very same. Appearing as I generally do – stubble, skinny suit, fancy socks, floral pocket handkerchief et al – has, in the past, led to one or two jibes about my sexuality, rooted in bigotry and ignorance. I know all too well the dangers associated with assumption; yes, I dress in a suit, shirt and tie, but that's because it's what I want to wear, and what I feel best fits my "work persona". It also fits in with our staff dress code, which sets out expectations of standards and empowers us, as a staff, to set an aspirational standard of presenting ourselves, to give an example for students' uniforms.
I think you and I are on the same page about what is important in a school – teaching, inspiration, leadership and giving children an environment in which they feel comfortable and can thrive – and if any of those were suffering as a result of the staff's appearance, then I would be wholeheartedly behind a swift shift. Indeed, the world of work is altering so much, and expectations of dress in industry are different now to what they were when I was at school. A huge number of my school friends who were brought up with the line "you wear a tie at school so that you know how to tie one when you get to work" are now working in creative, internet-based industries, where casual is absolutely the expectation.
The quote from the Ofsted letter in question is "teachers' attire is too casual", and I would argue that the word "casual" is subjective; arguably my definition of "casual" would be different to, say, the Queen's. Should I ever visit your daughter's school, I very much doubt that I'd see staff wandering round in onesies or swimwear, and even if I did, and it contributed to the learning of the students, I'd be behind it. Although I draw the line at trunks.
Let's face it – there can't be too much wrong with the way the British education system is doing if the inspection body is now dipping its toe into the sartorial decisions of teachers.
TG I think you put your finger on it when you say that you wear "what I want to wear and what I feel fits best with my work persona". It would seem reasonable to trust all teachers to do the same as different people have different work personas. A PE teacher would look bizarre in a suit and tie – and formal wear would be inadvisable and impractical for a teacher of dance or art.
You are also right that the world of work is changing and there are very few roles that require formal attire. My brother is a QC and a very snappy dresser – but I do sometimes wonder whether the wig and gown do more to intimidate people than really help the conduct of justice. My daughter observed that she and other students felt intimidated when Ofsted inspectors sat in their class in their suits and ties with their clipboards in hand. It almost certainly distorted what they were able to observe. If all teachers looked the same, it would be seriously counterproductive for a positive learning environment.
I fear there are bigger and more important debates lurking not so far beneath the surface of this issue – which we have not had time to address. Indeed, this is partly what infuriates me about Ofsted wasting its time and ours by making comments about scruffy teachers. We should be discussing how we can rebuild an education system that truly acts as an equalising force in our society – rather than accepting an ever more fragmented system that all too often exacerbates existing inequalities. Next time, let us discuss something that really matters!
Πηγή: http://www.theguardian.com/
Matthew Burton, assistant headteacher at Thornhill Community Academy in Dewsbury and Educating Yorkshire star
Does the way a teacher dresses matter? Yes, I think it does. During and after Educating Yorkshire, a couple of colleagues and I got it in the neck a little for what we chose to wear to work, but there is a line of sartorial propriety that, I would argue, we are absolutely on the right side of.
I wouldn't for a second criticise a teacher who's been working their backside off teaching high quality lessons, inspiring children, and helping them towards our greatest aim – turning young people into model citizens of the world – for having his tie a little loose, for sporting a somewhat jazzy sock, or for having their top button undone, but it's absolutely essential that we practise what we preach.
It would be patronising to ask a child to put their tie on, tuck their shirt in, swap their trainers for shoes or chinos for trousers if I were flouncing around the corridors in a Juicy Couture velour leisure suit and a pair of Crocs. The expectations of a teacher's appearance is bundled together in the wider issue of "professional standards", and although I dig a fancy sock, a skinny tie, and on occasion, battle weary after a long day at the coal face, my tie may slip down, I will always make a conscious effort to dress professionally.
I took part in a radio debate earlier today and one caller made this brilliant comment: "It's a good heart that's important, not a good suit." I'd completely agree, and if a sensible approach is adopted, I'm sure there's a point where the two can perfectly align.
Tanika Gupta, playwright and mother of a pupil at a school criticised in Ofsted report
On one matter we can clearly agree – everyone wants smart teachers. But to reduce the conception of "smart" to their clothing and physical appearance is simply bizarre. Some of my favourite teachers when I was at school would not have passed what appears to be a new Ofsted test. Thankfully we were taught not to judge a book by its cover! It would seem odd to apply that to books but not to people.
This particular story arises from Ofsted comments on my daughter's excellent school, Acland Burghley in Camden. Last week, I was at a parents' evening and was deeply impressed by every teacher I met. I honestly cannot remember what they were wearing – but they were passionate and inspiring about their subjects, which is what matters.
Unfortunately, Matthew, much of your argument is redundant because Acland Burghley, like most schools in Camden, does not have a school uniform – so no teachers are going around forcing children to put a tie on! Surely it is time that we got away from neo-Victorian attitudes and militaristic models of schooling. It is worrying that Ofsted is wasting its energies and ours by focusing on the superficiality of appearances rather than what lies inside.
MB Delighted to hear that the inspiration shone through at your daughter's parents' evening – I'm utterly of the opinion that schools are "good", "outstanding", or indeed any other Ofsted label, almost solely because of what goes on in the classroom. If, as a parent, you can look a teacher in the eye and see that absolute, unadulterated passion for education, and a burning desire to help your child get where they want to be, then you know your daughter's education is in safe hands.
The very same was ingrained into me throughout my upbringing – to not judge a book by its cover – but I think the reality is that immediate perceptions are formed within seconds of meeting a person, and we are conditioned to expect a certain "uniform" that certain professions "should" sport. Smartness is a combination of things, I agree; body language, communication and relationships are all part of forming those immediate perceptions, but appearance is a large part of that. The stereotype associated with teachers' clothing is a thing of legend. Arguably, the most famous example would be the geography teacher in a tweed jacket with leather elbow patches delivering a decree from the front of the classroom, but that has undoubtedly changed. I absolutely love people expressing individuality through their "get-up"; my skinny suits, floral pocket handkerchiefs and brown brogues wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, but, for me, the suit is the thing that turns me from Matthew to Mr Burton. If I rocked up in jeans and a T-shirt, I think the kids would be baffled.
TG As a woman, I have some experience of being judged on the basis of how I dress and, for me, this is a deeply problematic area. I believe we should avoid anything that panders to prejudices. I do agree that first impressions are important and I too like smart dressers but I do not agree that teachers should be criticised on their work clothes.
It is important to note that Acland Burghley is a diverse, inclusive and truly comprehensive school with specialist arts college status. It is supposed to be ahead of the curve on encouraging creative expression and one of the ways that many young people choose to express themselves is through their clothing. Nevertheless, Acland Burghley has clear and reasonable guidelines about what is acceptable and these guidelines are respected by both teachers and students. To create a different and narrower set of rules for teachers would be against the ethos of the school.
The real problem here is that Ofsted is passing comments on something that has nothing to do with improving learning and a lot to do with perpetuating irrational prejudices.
MB As a chap, I, too, have some experience of the very same. Appearing as I generally do – stubble, skinny suit, fancy socks, floral pocket handkerchief et al – has, in the past, led to one or two jibes about my sexuality, rooted in bigotry and ignorance. I know all too well the dangers associated with assumption; yes, I dress in a suit, shirt and tie, but that's because it's what I want to wear, and what I feel best fits my "work persona". It also fits in with our staff dress code, which sets out expectations of standards and empowers us, as a staff, to set an aspirational standard of presenting ourselves, to give an example for students' uniforms.
I think you and I are on the same page about what is important in a school – teaching, inspiration, leadership and giving children an environment in which they feel comfortable and can thrive – and if any of those were suffering as a result of the staff's appearance, then I would be wholeheartedly behind a swift shift. Indeed, the world of work is altering so much, and expectations of dress in industry are different now to what they were when I was at school. A huge number of my school friends who were brought up with the line "you wear a tie at school so that you know how to tie one when you get to work" are now working in creative, internet-based industries, where casual is absolutely the expectation.
The quote from the Ofsted letter in question is "teachers' attire is too casual", and I would argue that the word "casual" is subjective; arguably my definition of "casual" would be different to, say, the Queen's. Should I ever visit your daughter's school, I very much doubt that I'd see staff wandering round in onesies or swimwear, and even if I did, and it contributed to the learning of the students, I'd be behind it. Although I draw the line at trunks.
Let's face it – there can't be too much wrong with the way the British education system is doing if the inspection body is now dipping its toe into the sartorial decisions of teachers.
TG I think you put your finger on it when you say that you wear "what I want to wear and what I feel fits best with my work persona". It would seem reasonable to trust all teachers to do the same as different people have different work personas. A PE teacher would look bizarre in a suit and tie – and formal wear would be inadvisable and impractical for a teacher of dance or art.
You are also right that the world of work is changing and there are very few roles that require formal attire. My brother is a QC and a very snappy dresser – but I do sometimes wonder whether the wig and gown do more to intimidate people than really help the conduct of justice. My daughter observed that she and other students felt intimidated when Ofsted inspectors sat in their class in their suits and ties with their clipboards in hand. It almost certainly distorted what they were able to observe. If all teachers looked the same, it would be seriously counterproductive for a positive learning environment.
I fear there are bigger and more important debates lurking not so far beneath the surface of this issue – which we have not had time to address. Indeed, this is partly what infuriates me about Ofsted wasting its time and ours by making comments about scruffy teachers. We should be discussing how we can rebuild an education system that truly acts as an equalising force in our society – rather than accepting an ever more fragmented system that all too often exacerbates existing inequalities. Next time, let us discuss something that really matters!
Πηγή: http://www.theguardian.com/
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