Christmas gifts for teachers

The best presents I ever got as a teacher were hand made ones. But I know having seen some of the parents in my GCs school that there is a great rivalry amongst parents in some areas to give bigger and better,so although don't agree with this maybe it's an effort to stop gift spending spiraling out of control.

I took the op at face value because I know that this happens, as other (not new, either) posters have confirmed.
It is disgusting.
That's a statement of fact, not outrage.

I attended my granddaughter’s Christmas concert five years ago in north Cheshire. 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. I remarked to my hardworking and not very well off daughter-in-law that that was a bit off when the teacher probably earned more than she did. She told me it wasn’t worth making a fuss as she didn’t want to get a bad name.
While I don’t for one minute think teachers are responsible for this situation, I would like to see schools make it clear that gifts for teachers is not acceptable. That would take the pressure off for all parents.
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.

Cash gifts also have implications for HMRC, that's why they are discouraged.

The parents need to stand together and not be intimidated by the PTA, if that is the body organising it.

If it is the school itself, ie from the HT, as a demand, then that HT needs to be reported to the LA.

It is unethical.

Tigerdove made two statements which appear to have been taken as facts; the reactions on the first page: speechless, shocking, out of order, outrageous, disgusting, suggest to me rather more than an attempt to 'spark a discussion'.

If this amount of money were collected and given to one teacher that person would be investigated for tax purposes.

Whoever posted about this 'demand' in the first place needs to contact the Local Education Authority, or if an Academy the Board of Directors and make a complaint, not attempt to stir up outrage on Gransnet.

why does that person not contact the local authority or the school and object?*

The OP has merely started a thread to spark discussion, like any other thread on GN.

S/he does not need to do anything at all.

At the bottom of my wardrobe I used to have a box full of chocolates, smellies, note paper, ornaments etc which had been given to me by pupils at Christmas or at the end of year.
I just recycled them for my children's teachers or for my not so favourite aunt!

Is this because of Covid so nothing is handled? In previous years my dd teacher has had hand made gifts, choccies, wine, key rings, mugs and once a voucher for £10 but she doesn’t expect anything. Indeed she doesn’t eat chocolates or drink wine so appreciates hand made cards from the children all the more. Parents should be able to give what they want even if it’s nothing.

I don't think anyone is outraged.
It's just a discussion.

Whoever posted about this 'demand' in the first place needs to contact the Local Education Authority, or if an Academy the Board of Directors and make a complaint, not attempt to stir up outrage on Gransnet.

If it is true, an account will no doubt appear in the local press.

I know in France money is/was collected to buy a class present for the teacher, but I never experienced anything like this whilst teaching, as a parent, or heard of any school which does this.

There are two schools in my area where the PTA have "suggested" £10 being a reasonable amount as it covers the cost of a gift for the teacher and the TA.

I think it is up to schools to say no gifts are to be bought for teachers.

Maggie

silverlining48

It’s not an urban myth and nor is it to do with teacher bashing. It’s our experience with one school. Just be grateful it’s not yours. I won’t mention it next year....

Don’t worry about it, silverlining. I find it quite amusing to be called a liar and by implication a troll, after a mere 8 years on GN.

And a teacher basher! Having stated in my post The school where I worked.....

MissA

Well done Marydoll. Good for you, those children and their parents will remember you with great affection.

Marydoll it’s really heartwarming to hear that story.

Marydoll, and that's the sort of thing the pupils remember most, not the English and Maths lessons.

If it is true and has been personally experienced why does that person not contact the local authority or the school and object? I would.
If it’s the PTA same thing applies. Don’t just moan about it, do something about it !

Grannynannywanny it wasnt just me, a lot of work went on behind the scenes and I couldn't have done it without the pupil support assistants who came along to support the pupils and me.
The other nice thing was that the pupils were taken to Frankie and Bennies for a burger, after we kitted them out. The staff used their staff discount to reduce the bill and gave all the children a treat.
I was so overwhelmed by their kindness.

Callistemon

We get this kind of thread every year and I take them with a large pinch of Maldons.

Surely not
No, not.

Yup.

Me neither.
Sorry..

It’s not an urban myth and nor is it to do with teacher bashing. It’s our experience with one school. Just be grateful it’s not yours. I won’t mention it next year....

Well done Marydoll, that was a sterling effort on your part. It sounds like you went well above and beyond to provide for your pupils. I’m sure your efforts were appreciated by your colleagues and school children ????

Aha, the PTA getting over enthusiastic again!
At my school I said there could be a PA but no T in it because the two paths weren't to cross in that area. It worked far better for us that way.