School orders teachers to smarten up

Teachers at Mount Hutt college have been told to smarten up their appearance.

A secondary school has ordered teachers to smarten up, banning jeans and sports shoes - and prompting the secondary teachers' union to suggest other schools should follow suit.

Mount Hutt College in Methven has imposed "office-standard dress" with collared shirts and no sports shoes or denim to school.

Principal Don McLeod - former New Zealand Secondary Principals Council chairman - said the rule was introduced because some teachers dressed too casually and in at least one case that was "detrimental to a young teacher's ability to manage students".

However, it was a decision made "by consensus not decree", he said.

Teachers set an example for children in several areas, and the standard of dress was one.

The Post Primary Teachers Association has addressed the "touchy subject" in an article in its newsletter this month, quoting a UK principal's view that a formal dress code establishes an "ethos and attitude to learning".

PPTA president Robin Duff said teachers were expected to dress neatly as professionals.

But teachers are rejecting any call for a nationwide dress code and say they want to use their professional judgment.

In some quarters, teachers have a reputation for off-beat attire.

Former teacher John Minto admitted he'd come across a couple of colleagues fond of corduroy trousers and "the odd cardigan" while working at schools in Auckland.

"Teachers are not renowned for their fashion sense but they are renowned for their good sense and that's the main thing."

He always wore "clean and tidy and respectable" dress to class and said teachers should wear what they were comfortable in.

National MP Gerry Brownlee was expected to wear a collar and tie when he worked as a woodwork teacher in Christchurch in the 90s.

The dress code in Parliament was more strict, said Mr Brownlee, but schools were increasingly conscious of their public image.

"If a dress code is part of that then that's the school's choice."

But common sense had to be used.

"If you're in a laboratory, a tie may well be potentially quite disastrous," he said. "It could catch fire."

Mr Duff never wore jeans to class but said the line became blurred with expensive designer brands.

Western Springs College principal Ken Havill said teachers' effectiveness was more important than looks.