Headmaster Adrian Palmer is in a class of his own when it comes to ties – and wears a different one for every school day of the year.
Smartly-dressed Adrian, 56, started collecting the neck wear 21 years ago and now has more than 200 ties to chose from.
He has wooden ones, silk ones, paper ones, beaded ones and some made from plastic bubble wrap.
Adrian also has ties that play music, ones that light up and a couple of ‘vaguely boring ones’ for serious occasions.
His ties have become a talking point for pupils at Wycliffe Preparatory School in Stonehouse, Glos.
Youngsters give him ties instead of the usual chocolates and mugs and some have drawn up “tie-o-meter” charts to measure his mood by what he is wearing.
He said: “I never liked wearing a tie and didn’t wear them until I became a headmaster.
“In an act of juvenile rebellion I bought my first tie for work – a Mickey Mouse one.”
It was the first and last one he bought and every tie since has been given to him as a present by children and parents.
Adrian, a keen Manchester United supporter, has worn every one – apart from an Arsenal tie which he has vowed never to sport.
He also tries to match his tie to the occasion – having once worn a musical one which started playing as he presented a Christmas service in the school chapel.
His bubble wrap ties are worn for boring meetings so he can keep himself amused.
Adrian, who is in charge of around 360 boys and girls aged 2-13, said: “There is also a serious side to this.
“My ties are a discussion point for the children and every morning in the breakfast room they look to see what I am wearing.
“My ties help the children them realise that a headmaster is a human being and that I am approachable.
“A headmaster doesn’t have to be fierce, boring or horrible to maintain discipline.
“It is important that we have a happy school with happy children. My ties bring a smile to the children and our staff.
“When I put a tie on it reminds me of the child who gave it to me and why they chose it.”
* A collector of ties is called a grabatologist.
