The recent hot weather has posed a problem for headteachers wondering whether to let staff roll up their sleeves and display their body artwork. This is what our panel thought on the matter:
‘They can have a javelin through their nose if they teach maths’
Vic Goddard, principal of Passmores academy, Essex
Is it a tattoo issue, or middle class snobbery, or is it what the content is? My view is that staff need to present themselves as professionals – that’s what they are.
We have spoken to students and they don’t give a damn. We have spoken to parents and some say you shouldn’t have them on a teacher. Others don’t give a damn so long as it doesn’t say “fuck off mum”.
We are probably going to end up with a school policy that says as long as it’s appropriate, then it’s OK. If it’s a Popeye naked woman then that wouldn’t be appropriate. I would say a face tattoo wouldn’t be appropriate because it would be off-putting for some young people. The appropriateness of the tattoo is to be judged by me.
It’s like a game of scruples. There is no right answer. Then, I don’t want it to stop me employing good people. If someone teaches maths or science they could come in with a javelin through their nose for all I care.
‘Students have to follow a dress code, so should we’
Graham Walton, head of maths at Tupton Hall school, Derbyshire
I have three tattoos – an arrow on my arm that shows how a sine function works, a Celtic band around my arm and a Möbius strip on my back. However, I understand from the professional point of view that not everyone wants to see them. The school rules say I should cover them and I’m happy to go along with that. We ask students to follow a dress code, so it is a bit against the grain if you do the opposite.
‘Part of teaching is about not judging people by their looks’
Rhiannon Davies, mother of seven-year-old twins
I wouldn’t be put off if my child was being taught by someone with tattoos. But it’s a balance about being a professional. Other things like being smart and not wearing short skirts are more important. Part of being a teacher is about teaching pupils to respect people’s differences and not judge them by their looks.
Children are very open. If someone was tattooed head to foot they would notice it, but it’s a good talking point.
I’m more concerned about whether my child’s teacher is effective and professional than what they look like.
‘My work as head is more important than expressing my individuality’
Keziah Featherstone, headteacher Bridge Learning Campus, Bristol
I have six tattoos, which are not visible at work. The one on my wrist is covered by my watch strap. I put my watch on, drew lines, and said it has to be between these lines.
I have spoken to a lot of parents who say, why cover them up? But there are people who would make a judgment of me and my school as they have preconceived ideas about people with tattoos.
I’m the most high profile person in the school so it’s different for me. We ask other people – particularly frontline staff working with children – that where possible they cover them, but don’t insist on it. People should be free to express themselves but at the same time, do I know the work I do as a headteacher is more important than my right to express individuality? Yes.
‘Tattoos can have a meaning and can start discussions’
Chris Silvester, tattoo artist and former teacher
I have over 100 tattoos and when I was teaching I had about 40 – symbols of pi with the numbers all around my elbow, calculators, plus and minus signs. I had two sleeves and a chest picture and some on my legs but I always respected the school’s philosophy of never showing them.
More teachers should have them on show. Most of the tattoos I do have some sort of meaning and story behind them, so it could be an icebreaker with some kids. You could say, “this is celebrating that I’m happy being lesbian or gay”. It could start a discussion.
‘They can have a javelin through their nose if they teach maths’
Vic Goddard, principal of Passmores academy, Essex
Is it a tattoo issue, or middle class snobbery, or is it what the content is? My view is that staff need to present themselves as professionals – that’s what they are.
We have spoken to students and they don’t give a damn. We have spoken to parents and some say you shouldn’t have them on a teacher. Others don’t give a damn so long as it doesn’t say “fuck off mum”.
We are probably going to end up with a school policy that says as long as it’s appropriate, then it’s OK. If it’s a Popeye naked woman then that wouldn’t be appropriate. I would say a face tattoo wouldn’t be appropriate because it would be off-putting for some young people. The appropriateness of the tattoo is to be judged by me.
It’s like a game of scruples. There is no right answer. Then, I don’t want it to stop me employing good people. If someone teaches maths or science they could come in with a javelin through their nose for all I care.
‘Students have to follow a dress code, so should we’
Graham Walton, head of maths at Tupton Hall school, Derbyshire
I have three tattoos – an arrow on my arm that shows how a sine function works, a Celtic band around my arm and a Möbius strip on my back. However, I understand from the professional point of view that not everyone wants to see them. The school rules say I should cover them and I’m happy to go along with that. We ask students to follow a dress code, so it is a bit against the grain if you do the opposite.
‘Part of teaching is about not judging people by their looks’
Rhiannon Davies, mother of seven-year-old twins
I wouldn’t be put off if my child was being taught by someone with tattoos. But it’s a balance about being a professional. Other things like being smart and not wearing short skirts are more important. Part of being a teacher is about teaching pupils to respect people’s differences and not judge them by their looks.
Children are very open. If someone was tattooed head to foot they would notice it, but it’s a good talking point.
I’m more concerned about whether my child’s teacher is effective and professional than what they look like.
‘My work as head is more important than expressing my individuality’
Keziah Featherstone, headteacher Bridge Learning Campus, Bristol
I have six tattoos, which are not visible at work. The one on my wrist is covered by my watch strap. I put my watch on, drew lines, and said it has to be between these lines.
I have spoken to a lot of parents who say, why cover them up? But there are people who would make a judgment of me and my school as they have preconceived ideas about people with tattoos.
I’m the most high profile person in the school so it’s different for me. We ask other people – particularly frontline staff working with children – that where possible they cover them, but don’t insist on it. People should be free to express themselves but at the same time, do I know the work I do as a headteacher is more important than my right to express individuality? Yes.
‘Tattoos can have a meaning and can start discussions’
Chris Silvester, tattoo artist and former teacher
I have over 100 tattoos and when I was teaching I had about 40 – symbols of pi with the numbers all around my elbow, calculators, plus and minus signs. I had two sleeves and a chest picture and some on my legs but I always respected the school’s philosophy of never showing them.
Are Ups Drivers Allowed To Have Tattoos Near Me
More teachers should have them on show. Most of the tattoos I do have some sort of meaning and story behind them, so it could be an icebreaker with some kids. You could say, “this is celebrating that I’m happy being lesbian or gay”. It could start a discussion.
Posted by4 years ago
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I'm anticipating getting an interview with UPS, and want to get all my ducks in a row. I've done a little bit of research and I'm finding conflicting things on the UPS policy on facial hair. I'm a van dyke kind of guy ( goatee and mustache ), and in an ideal world wouldn't have to go clean shaven. That being said, if not being clean shaven is going to possibly impede my chances, I'll be hitting the hot lather in a heartbeat. Anyone have an official stance? Thanks, /r/jobs!
Update: Originally I was told this was a drivers helper position. They interviewed me as a driver. It went horribly. The interview consisted of some very easy questions followed by a driving test. I've never driven a large truck before and only have experience on a small, practically compact car sized, manual chevy truck. Very nice people, or at least professionally nice. Thanks all for the tips and advice, however. I did rather appreciate it.
Are Ups Drivers Allowed To Have Tattoos For Boys
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