Codes…

Following on from Longrider’s highlighting of the US’s new code for gay – ‘cat lover’ – it seems we have a new code for ‘irritating, grandstanding, attention-whore show off who thinks rules everyone else obeys shouldn’t apply to him’.

That being ‘bright and colourful’:

Now teaching at a special school, the married father of two, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, is sticking to his no-tie rule.

‘I don’t work in an office, I teach music and drama.

‘I’m a bright and colourful character and how I dress reflects that,’ he said yesterday.

How you act reflects it too, though ‘bright and colourful’ isn’t the wording most people would choose…

And not only did he refuse to comply, but he promptly sued the well-regarded Roman Catholic grammar school where he was teaching, accusing it of sexual discrimination and breach of contract.

After being threatened with hefty legal costs, he finally backed down.

Hurrah for hefty lawyers fees (for once)!

After refusing to comply, Mr Smith was told to leave, so forfeiting the £150 he had been due to be paid for a day’s work.

The teacher, himself a Catholic, wrote to the school demanding it pay him, quoting its motto, Vitam impendere vero – ‘To lay one’s life down for the truth’.

Or, indeed, for the right not to wear a tie. Though I can’t see any school getting that translated into Latin for a motto…

The chutzpah is strong in this one, though:

… he took it to a tribunal for breach of contract as well as sex discrimination, on the grounds that female teachers weren’t expected to wear a tie.

I’d suggest putting this almighty ego in a skirt to teach him the folly of his approach, but he’d probably welcome its attention-getting properties.

He’s clearly one of those teachers:

‘Times have changed and wearing a tie doesn’t necessarily mean you’re smartly dressed these days – I see plenty of teachers wearing ties with cartoon characters on.

‘I feel I’m a good, positive role model and to me the school’s attitude is out of date and frankly Dickensian.

‘A lot of kids have said I dress quite cool and I’m not boring, and I think that helps me make a connection with them.’

I think we can all agree that that’s the most important thing, isn’t it? That the kids you teach find you ‘cool’?

The school is well rid of this clown:

A spokesman said: ‘St Ambrose College was fully prepared to take this case to court.

‘The school sets high standards for its pupils and naturally expects the same from the staff.

‘The supply agency was fully aware of our policy and is backing us in our stance.
‘We completely refute any suggestion Mr Smith was humiliated, and it was rather the situation he was rude to a senior member of staff with 20 years’ experience at the school.’

Good for you! It’s about time that someone took a stand. Enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame, Mr Smith. It’s all you’ll get…