Christmas gifts for teachers

I haven’t seen any evidence on this thread that anyone is blaming teachers.
It does seem to be the PTA or a few zealous parents at fault. I also think that this situation applies mainly to primary and junior schools.
I personally have not seen this request for teacher Christmas present donations happening in senior schools.
The requests for funding are a different matter, and I think fund raising events, especially with pupil involvement are a good thing.

A lot of schools outside London are seriously underfunded. In the Primary School where I worked, a lot of cakes and sweets were brought in for staff to share at Christmas and end of term. It was far too much. The PTA was always trying to raise funds for children to join the trips and outings, whose parents could not afford to pay. So a suggestion was made, definitely voluntary, for parents who could and wanted to, to make a small financial contribution. The last year I was at that school, no school trip was made, as coach companies had pushed prices out of reach, it was more profitable to take corporate parties than school children. There definitely was no obligation or chasing up of contributions.

I work in the classroom and our school would never send out a letter like that. Some children bring small gifts, others don't. My daughter has two children in primary school who between them are taught by 5 teachers. She usually makes up a small hamper of little goodies that everyone can share over coffee. The only time we ever ask for money is on Children in need day. Children wear pj's to school and parents are asked for a small contribution, if they feel able to. This thread reminds me of the chapel that I'm a member of but no longer attend. Every year I have a slip through my door telling me how much I've given and how much it costs to run the chapel. A booklet is also given out so everyone can see what others have given. It's like a competition!

Yes, I know they move on at Y7 but Y6 could be the last year this pressure applies.

Jillybird it could well be an academy although only a small proportion of primary schools are.

I don't know if the practice of taking in presents for the teacher stops at Y6 when pupils move on and have so many different teachers for different subjects.

Nina474 many parents remember all the staff who have dealt with their children throughout the year. Teaching assistants who work with more than one class or year group often do very well for presents.

Don't normally comment but I worked in a schools for years and my experience of a caring staff resembles Marydolls comment. I saw daily how staff cared for and nurtured their young charges sometimes in very difficult circumstances.

My teacher daughter's school asked years ago that parents donationed to a food bank of their choice rather than give gifts to staff.

Im sure not all parents in this school..... Where ever it is..... are happy with this letter. I'd be very surprised if they all complied without comment to this request. Please don't "tar all teachers with the same brush" especially just now with covid rushing through schools like wild fire. Our teachers are coping with this epidemic again with care and concern for the next gereration. I know my daughter and her colleagues are. Im very proud of them.

This does happen, organised by parents. £10 was the amount requested. Far too much Also schools should have a policy in place regarding gifts to teachers.
Does anyone give a thought to all the other staff? Teaching Assistants, kitchen staff, cleaners/caretaker, midday staff and admin staff.

In defence of Teachers during the school year they regularly spend their own money on items needed for their class . I am a retired primary school teacher and used to buy ingredients for cooking, items for a display,and nany other things.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

It definitely doesn't happen here!

Our school have said if gifts are being given, we have a specific window to do it in so they can all be quarantined, but obviously, it's totally voluntary and has only been arranged because parents have been inquiring about it.

I can't believe they would have the cheek to ask for £10 per child!

Reading OP I'm as shocked and disgusted as everyone else. But I haven't read the wording of the letter. Schools were desperately short of money this time last year, with all the extra expenses of 2020... Central govt doesn't seem to have paid for any extra teachers to cover those sick or shielding (shielding teachers are still working btw), haven't paid for extra cleaners or cleaning products. Are we sure this isn't a plea for extra funds?

Can't imagine any school doing that. Unless they were actually saying that a donation to a charity could be made in lieu of a gift to teacher? Collected in a box or something?

Shortlegs

Perhaps Marcus Rashford could ask the government to pay for teachers' presents too?

Bit nasty.

Perhaps Marcus Rashford could ask the government to pay for teachers' presents too?

I'm always stunned at the amounts collected for teachers at the school DGSs attend. However, it always seems to be organised by very competitive mums themselves. DD takes their officious notes and emails with a pinch of salt luckily.

The whole idea of presents for teachers has bothered me for years. They get paid a salary and have no need of candles, soap and the like, but the most troubling part of it is the “one upmanship “ many parents involve themselves in. There should be no pressure or suggestion that any parent is obliged to give gifts to teachers or donations of any kind. Each local authority could stop this silly nonsense once and for all by banning the custom. If parents feel the need to acknowledge a good teacher they should write a note expressing their gratitude.

I’ve seen my DIL moved to tears by cards and letters she’s been given by teenage students.

She encourages their 2 young children to make homemade cards for their teachers because she knows how much they are appreciated.

She’d be horrified if their PTA requested cash from parents to buy gifts for staff.

The hand made cards given to show a child’s love and appreciation of their teacher is lovely. Even more lovely that many of you keep them and read them again.
The money thing though seems to be fairly new and should be nipped in the bud.

Does that tenner per child go to the teacher or the school? I am not adverse to it going to the school, IF it is a struggling state school.

As a teacher, I love nothing more than a hand made card from a student. I have kept all those I have been given over the years and occasionally I read some of them and shed a private tear at the lovely kids that I have taught. And over the less lovely ones too.

Marydoll: such kindness and compassion will stay for ever in the hearts of the beneficiaries.

Another retired teacher here. I have kept all the cards and letters I received over the years from children I taught. Any school demanding money for presents should be reported to the governors and the L.A.

In my daughter’s school, it was suggested last Christmas that parents could donate to the food bank in school in lieu of presents but there was no pressure. This seemed popular and teachers still received cards, letters or home made gifts.

I agree LauraNorder it was sad, I once had six talcum powders in the box. Perhaps the pupils were trying to tell me I needed to smell nicer! Actually I think several of the gifts were recycled before they came to me!

I think spending has already spiralled, if some schools want £50 a year (and the rest!) per child.

I find Ellianne’s post rather sad that a parent has perhaps struggled to find a few pounds to buy a gift and it lies in her wardrobe to be recycled to other teachers or a disliked aunt. Another good reason to put a stop to it.
My friend taught in a deprived area and used to say 'no presents' but inevitably she ended up with a drawerful which she passed on surreptiously. In a small town she couldn't send them to the charity shop.

A PTA member came around the audience of parents asking for £5 per head for the teacher’s present. The collector had a clipboard with all the names and ticked them off as she went which seemed to me to be tactic to ensure all paid up.
LauraNorder I think we've all come across the PTA Queen Bee!

It's time to say NO!

Good point Trisher, but only in more well off areas.