My thoughts on the Ofsted report slamming scruffy teachers

This morning I was invited to go on BBC Radio Humberside to talk about the Ofsted report criticising scruffy teachers at the Acland Burghley School in Camden, London. They had callers on debating whether what you wore was important or not in the place of work. The caller before me said that a more informal style of dress worn by a teacher would make the teacher more accessible and promote greater learning. Wrong. Ofsted had drawn a direct correlation between the state of the teachers' clothing, the presentation of the building and the poor standard of work - the overall lack of pride in the school - to the schools poor level of achievement. The head is stepping down in August.

So what was my opinion? That guidance on what to wear in any business has to come from the top down but in the article in the Evening Standard it says, "Sir Michael Wilshaw, the head of Ofsted, said that too many trainees are sent into schools without proper guidance on professional dress." If that is the case did the teachers even stand a chance against Ofsted? So what proper guidance do you give? 

A DRESS CODE which is the level of expectation you convey to your staff about their appearance: simply put it is what to wear and what not to wear.   

I talked to Burnsy on air about the importance of a Dress Code and the work I had done with Raynes Architecture. When the firm expanded, Lisa, the Director, contacted me to help shape their company image and write their Dress Code so that when a new member or staff that was taken on they would be in no doubt about what was acceptable dress in the Raynes work place. I mentioned a great quote on air from the E-myth revisited which talks about why some companies excel and others don't:

“Is it any wonder that McDonalds, Federal Express, Disney …and many more extraordinary companies spend so much time and money on determining how they look? It pays!” (E Myth Revisited)

Enough said! Even if you aren't running a multi-million pound business (and let's face it, how many of us are?!), or are running a not-for-profit business like a school, what your staff wear is a direct result of the management and leadership at the top and a direct reflection of how they feel about the job they are in.  After I bid Burnsy good day I remembered a Julie Walters programme called Ahead of the Class that was based on the failing school in London outside which the Head Teacher Phillip Lawrence was fatally stabbed in 1995. Do you know what the first thing she said  to her staff as the new "super head" brought it to ring the changes ? She  didn't ask them about the curriculum, the behaviour of the students, or what colour they wanted the staff room painting. No, she asked the teachers to dress smarter. 

(If you haven't read about what all the hoo-ha is about then check out the article in the Evening Standard by clicking here.)

Tea, Mabel? Don’t mind if I do…

It’s been well documented on this here blog that I love a tea. And what’s more I love people that are doing cool and interesting stuff with tea. Like Yorkshire Tea’s ad campaign where they took off the grand ol USA and delivered proper tea to the tea-starved Brits over there. That got the thumbs up from me.

What could possibly follow my ode to Manchester’s bright tea light Teacup?  Mabel and Mary’s I do declare. It was recently their 1 year anniversary and man have they had a cracking year! I first spotted them at The Festival of Thrift in their mobile tea shop feeding the hungry hoards that had flocked to the upcycled and recycled festival. 

Look at the choice of Tea! 

Carol, the owner, says “we offer good quality and a choice of tea other than earl grey or peppermint as an unusual tea.” The tea choice Richter scale peaks between do 12 – 14 types (so no surprise there was a huge queue which I heartily joined the back of) and they use local suppliers wherever possible. With a laser like focus on what they are selling, they do oven baked fresh scones (also another personal fave which I scoffed on the day) and really good homemade cake.

Born out of a redundancy package, the original idea was to start a tearoom but with crippling highstreet rates and rents the idea got itself an ice-cream like serving hatch on the side of a unique and memorable van. Starting out at markets and fêtes Mabel and Mary’s presence has snowballed into Christmas light switch-on, outdoor shows and events and being the ‘local’ tearoom on festival camp-sites. They have been invited back to each venue they rocked-up to this year which proves what a unique yet accessible brand they have: quirky, quality products with national appeal.  

Click here to be transported 

Swing by the give them the thumbs up on Facebook

Or tweet them up: @MabelandMarys

Kudos to the upcyclers for seeing what others cannot

This month I'm giving Kudos to Michelle Luker the owner and creator behind Interference Design. Michelle takes everyday objects and upcycles them: from bike handlebars to those old Bunsen burners we used in Chemistry many moons ago. 

The pathway to her own business went from a 3D Design course in Manchester, to a 1 year creative business course, to being supported by the now defunct Design Initiative which helped to showcase her work at numerous exhibitions.

Her upcycling career started at uni when she started using discarded objects from skips and things picked up in charity shops for her uni projects. She then moved into working with original materials and the rest is history.

Going since 2004, her products are helpful, quirky and full of wit. She is interested in things that do things – take her Candlebar for instance – the only time I’ve ever seen a candle on a bike part. Oddly enough, looking at it reminds me of Lumiere from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast…

Anyway, visit Michelle’s Etsy shop for her range of upcycled products by clicking here and Click here for the Facebook Page – swing by and give Michelle and her upcycled products the thumbs up.