Glorianny
I think all these people who are setting standards for teachers should actually realise that the profession is actually struggling to recruit and keep staff, particularly in certain subjects. One HT is quoted as saying “They can have a javelin through their nose if they teach math.”
That sounds like an American example - where is the quote from? Regardless though, the HT is basically saying that s/he is desperate enough to ignore usual standards of appearance, which suggests that s/he would place value on them in an ideal world, so it's hardly making a case for unusual appearance in teaching staff.
Do you think that teachers (whilst at work) should be able to wear, say, a T shirt with a Labour Party slogan on it? A Meat is Murder sweatshirt? Carry a 'Britain First' tote bag?
I'm assuming not (but do correct me if that assumption is wrong), as these examples are clearly about making a point, and 'making a point' is not what teachers of primary school children are employed to do. They are employed to teach children to read and write, to learn the basics of a range of subjects, to work together in groups and become independent. Teachers are supposed to be role models but are not supposed to use that relationship to impose their own views on the children in their care.
This seems to be another case of someone making a point. Quite what that point is is debatable, but given that a lot of schools value conformity and punish children for wearing the 'wrong' shoes, coloured hair etc, isn't it unlikely that he is encouraging individuality of expression? I can't help thinking that there is more to it than that.
