An apple for the teacher.

As a secondary teacher I was sometimes given a gift at Christmas or at the end of the summer term, mostly chocolates or flowers, once a delicious home made fruit cake.

When I retired there was a gift from the school, but I can’t even recall what it was. Several pupils gave individual gifts and I am still using a lovely mug and a tray I received from a very special pupil who lived near me. Best of all were the cards and letters of appreciation. It was all voluntary. Nothing very costly.

My husband, also a teacher, died recently and many former pupils sent messages and tributes- quite incredible, 16 years after he retired.

My favourite is the cards with all their little finger prints on, especially when there are little messages inside and I know I taught that child to do that. It's so nice to have that memory

I loved motherland Lathyrus, brilliantly done.

One of my DiL’s regularly bakes extra cakes/cake to take into GC school for the staff.

The Mums have a collection for their children’s class teacher and TA’s at the end of the school year at both local primaries near me (I have GC at both)

As a retired teacher I remember children giving hand picked flowers from their gardens. I loved the roses - greenfly and all!

Did any watch Motherland?

Brilliantly observed and parodied portrait of the self important and coercive Playground mafia😬

IMO it should be banned in all schools - state and private.

I was a teacher and I never expected or wanted any gifts. That said if a child gives you something what can you do except thank them graciously? I always tried to make it as quick and quiet as possible, so that the children who couldn't bring anything didn't feel let out. But I know some teachers made huge ceremonies of it and one even dropped the name of her favourite products into talks, as end of term approached.
I'd like to see a proper policy and guidelines about this in every school, preferably banning the gifts but allowing thank you cards

Banning parents from doing something even where the ban would benefit others?😱
Have you ever successfully tried that without receiving a lot of abuse in the media. Can you imagine
My child desperately wanted to give Mrs Go a present but the school banned it. She’s distraught! I had to promise her a McD milkshake to soothe her.
Some parents would be really grateful for the ban. It’s expensive with more than one child, and do they get a gift for the TAs and the PPA teachers?
Most teachers wouldn’t mind. I love getting a card or a note or a picture saying thank you.
I’m a bit more sceptical about the ones that say, I’ll miss you. You’re the best teacher ever! I know full well that most children, two weeks into next term will think the same about their new teacher.😁😁

Not a bash the teacher thread ! I have never liked the idea - I was a teacher!!

Certainly not abadh the teacher

I think it should be stopped, it must be worrying for the children of families that cannot afford anything.

There are so many items with ‘favourite teacher’ or ‘thank you teacher’ printed on them, imagine getting 30 of those every year, probably why there are always some in every charity shop.

It's not turning into a bash the teacher thread and it would be great if people could have discussions on education, safeguarding without that being thrown at people.
I work in education now by the way.

Isn't there some sort of tax liability with expensive gifts. My DH would have had to declare any gifts he was given. He always refused them more on moral grounds though.

Actually terribly sad that those precious little handmade gifts ( some of which I still have) have been superseded by the expectations of a class collection and a trip to the spa!

Not a “bash the teacher” at all.

We don’t just teach values we inculcate them. A word not much longer used.

What do we inculcate when a “rep” goes round pressuring each parent into a “gift” and we as teachers accept that?

The problem is voluntary seems to have become compulsory and for quite significant sums. That’s when the school had to step in.

And if it doesn’t, if it tacitly promote that pressure on parents, we’ll that’s a school I wouldn’t want to send children to or to work in. But those are my values.
People will send children to schools that reflect their own values if they have a choice and teachers seeking employment likewise.

Retirement gifts are a bit different I think but even then it shouldn’t be. “Rep” going round asking each parent for a contribution.

A gift is just that -a gift.

Lathyrus 'with teacher approval.' what on earth do you mean by that? I have never rejected a gift given to me by a child or a parent, come to that. It would be rude to do so. Pupils would often give me a cake they had made in home economics. They were very proud of their baking and for some, had no-one at home who was interested. I always accepted in the manner it had been given. Should I have refused that too, hurting their feelings? I gave small thank you gifts to my children's teachers when they were at primary school. I give thank you gifts to the pharmacy, doctor's surgery and library at Christmas. This is turning into a bash the teachers thread.

No state school worth attending would permit lavish gifts and would make it clear that a thank you (written or verbal) would be the most appreciated thing.

When staff leave, there is often a collection and this can become a decent amount of money. Our Headmaster was treated to a helicopter flight over the area he had taught for many years. I don't see the end of term gifts as being any different.
I think it would be better if vouchers were given because these could be donated to the school to buy things for the classroom to buy things to make the teacher's life better. I don't think a school allowing gifts is a reflection of whether a school is worth attending or not. Gifts are voluntary and not expected.

It really does incense some people, doesn't it.
My book group gives a yearly gift to the Librarian; I gave a gift to the first-aider in Superdrug when I fell over and broke my arm; I gave gifts to my personal trainer; gifts to the keep-fit lady. , gifts to tour OU tutor, etc etc.
The point is, my choice.
I think you miss the point that it is the pupils want to give gifts; no-one is made to, and plenty of children don't.
I have never worked in a school where there were organised class collections, although I did get a joint gift, and contributed to many others when I returned, for pregnancy.

A small time gift is quite enough! This can become a competition between parents, expensive gifts are ridiculous and out of the question for most parents. An apple for the teacher should suffice! I am sure the majority of teaches bare embarrassed when given very expensive gifts. They are doing their job - teaching!!

Bella23

nanna8

Years ago, when I left , I was expecting our first child and those kids, rough as guts, gave me lovely hand knitted baby clothes and little things for the newborn. It brought tears to my eyes.

I got knitted things for my baby when I left on maternity leave. The most poignant was in a very poor area I got a half-eaten toffee bar. The mum explained the child had saved their pocket money for it and couldn't resist on the way to school.
The other was many years ago after a very tough teaching practice the class had a whip around and I got a box of Maltesers. The teacher said she had collected more for me than all the black babies in an African orphanage they supported.
I did give a donation to their African collection.
Expensive presents mean nothing it's the little things that touch. The homemade card or biscuits or bubble bath that has been decanted into a smaller bottle. It has all gone too far.
I wonder how parents will feel this year after all the strikes and having to take days off themselves and the food banks.

Loved all this as you have said just how I felt when I was teaching. I remember being so touched when the parents of a child I taught came into the classroom because they”wanted to shake my hand”. Then those letters of thanks from parents and those little presents which I still have such as vases, ornaments etc. The children are grown up but memories are so precious.

Good for them.

Every school should have a policy that makes it clear that gifts are not expected and that certainly there will be no “organised” collection.

Parental mafia😱 with teacher approval 😱😱😱😱😱

Yes same in social care, we were allowed gifts for the childrens home so if the parents gave a box of chocolates we would share it within the home but we couldnt take gifts to our own homes if you see what I mean.

Private schools are probably different.
Some independent schools hold a register where a teacher has to declare any gift from a parent over a certain amount. It's all to do with being seen as bribery.