After Michael Gove's reminder to teachers to use the disciplinary sanctions available to them, Ofsted has now told teachers to smarten up.

Teachers across the country have announced their decision to take industrial action in March in a row over pay, pensions and working conditions, but the education watchdog believes scruffy teachers are a pressing concern.

Ofsted plans to launch a clampdown on teachers' clothes, which will see inspectors record the type of garments teachers wear.

According to the regulator, smarter clothes will help set a good example to students and place a greater focus on "professional dress and conduct" in the classroom.

Despite these changes, the watchdog said it was "not being prescriptive" about teachers' clothes. 

Sean Harford, the national director for initial teacher training at Ofsted, said: "Too often newly-qualified teachers enter the classroom ill prepared for the challenges of teaching pupils.

"If they are to succeed then they need the continued support of middle and senior managers after their training. Our more rigorous way of inspecting will help make sure that teachers are better prepared when they enter the teaching profession."

The focus on teachers' clothes is the highest profile announcement in a consultation document published yesterday (February 11th) by Ofsted, which set out the inspection regime that will be implemented from June.

Following the education secretary's comments about discipline, the new inspection process will place a greater emphasis on the "management" of pupil behaviour, checking people in teaching jobs have the expertise to control classrooms.

Specific changes will see inspectors spending more time observing trainees in the classroom, while Ofsted will also be altering guidelines on training to ensure there is a reference to the standard of professional dress.

As a newly-qualified teacher, what do you feel about this? Are your clothes a problem? Will smarter attire improve pupil behaviour or should Ofsted be focusing on other areas?