do you always do teachers presents?

[Laura0806]

I always give both my childrens teachers presents at the end of every year and at christmas as I appreciate what a tough job teaching is and want to say thank you. I do this whether the teacher has been good or ok. However, this year for both of my children the teacher they have had has been awful. One was an NQT but has taught quite a lot of things incorrectly and taught to the lowest ability level in the class leaving my daughter bored and demotivated. The other refused to believe my other child had SEN but said that they thought it was just a personality issue resulting in my child feeling a lot less confident than at the start of the year. I don't feel inclined to buy a present but feel guilty for not doing....

[HarrietSchulenberg]

Then don't buy one.

I really don't understand why people feel obliged to give presents to teachers who are just doing their jobs. A handmade card from your child really should be enough if your teacher has been amazing, but the number of parents I see going in with chocolates, pot plants and silly little Best Teacher mugs/plaques/shite is ridiculous.

Just smile and say, "Have a nice summer" when you collect DC. Then go.

[morethanpotatoprints]

I started this when older two were little and only did it for the first year.
There are so many people in our childrens lives who do a good job, well, make a difference, support and encourage. If you give to them all you'd be broke, so we stopped doing it.
The sense of relief about not getting involved is brilliant and no faffing about at the end of term.

[eliza1960]

Personally, I've always given a little something because I know how hard teachers work during their own time, evenings/ weekends (both my sister and close friend are Primary school teachers.) That's just the way I feel though. If you didn't like a teacher very much, you're not obliged to buy anything.

[mrz]

I wonder how many parents and teachers are aware that they must declare gifts to the tax office if worth more than £20

[Laura0806]

Gosh Mrz probably none. One of the tecahers in our school just got £300 in gift vouchers- all the class gave £10

[poppy70]

It is a thank you. Members of my family, in medical profession, have gotten valuable gifts from grateful parents of sick children. If you are thankful for the role that parent played in their life... thrn a token is all it is of appreciation. If not... don't do anything.

[mrz]

I was told today that it's classed as a taxable benefit

[LilyTucker]

I'm not this year,first time in 10 years for exactly the same reasons as you op.In fact I could have written your op.

[poppy70]

Yeah but seriously. This isn't business. And it isn't routine. Some people get thousands in gifts. A local school teacher and a little gift that a family contributes 5 pounds to is hardly interesting to anyone...and hardly HMRC. But if you wanted to declare it you could at the end of the tax year.

[Mehitabel6]

I always gave presents - but nothing near £20!
I have never received anything near that amount either.
If you don't want to give a present then don't.

[mrz]

They aren't going to come after you for a box of Carburys Roses but they might for £300

[ArseForElbow]

Yes I always buy for them, but it's not a 'must', if you don't want to then don't.

[poppy70]

They won't. .. because each person contributed a small amount. Its a group present not from one to the other. . Necessitating a taxable benefit on one side and a tax on the otbrt

[Shannaratiger]

No, first time this year, DD is in yr6 so am going to get a present for the class teacher and TA she had in yr R, 1, 3 & 4 who were amazing; current teacher and TA; SENCO and special support teacher. They all more than deserve a £10 Waterstones gift voucher for the amazing job they've done.

[Tanfastic]

I used to feel a bit meh about it when ds started reception but I've given a little something usually something ds has chosen, a couple of quid is all I spend. It puts a little smile on his face as he loves giving presents he has chosen, even if they are considered tat/shite.

My sister used to be a TA and she loved getting the tat!

[Eurosceptic]

I have a policy not to give presents to crap teachers. The tax payers of UK (in the case of a state primary) or the parents (in the case of an independent school) have paid their salary. The idea they should be rewarded for their inadequacies with Christmas presents or end of year presents is laughable. Why would you reward a teacher who has treated your DC badly? Most parents I know who do it are doing it out of habit or peer pressure.

[MrsHathaway]

Last summer DS had a teacher who was utter, utter crap. She got not even a card from me/us.

Every other time they've been good at their jobs to the extent of going above and beyond, so yes.

[poppy70]

I always do a parting gift for my class... which does cost money. Every year I spend a couple of hundred pounds of my own money on resources for the class. So they can bake, sew, art resources. Maybe I shouldn't bother. It is an act of kindness... people really are quite mean on here.

[MrsHathaway]

In our LA it's gifts worth more than £15 per employee per service user effectively, across the board. So a housing officer can have a box of Roses from a tenant who was desperate, and a teacher can have a £300 John Lewis voucher so long as no single child/family gave more than £15.

[MozzchopsThirty]

I don't understand why people buy for teachers
The mums wanted £10 per child this year so they could purchase £300 worth of JL vouchers between 3 teachers!!!!!!!!

Fuck that!

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

I do usually help the dc to do something for their teachers but dd2 has had some bad experiences with a few teachers and on those times I have left it up to her whether she does something. She has just moved schools though and wants to make something for her fab teacher who she has only had for a few weeks but has already made a big impact.

The teachers won't know if you usually give presents so don't worry too much about it. Hope you get better teachers next year.

[mrz]

I buy gifts for my class each term and spend hundreds of pounds of my own money to resource my classroom (my choice) it doesn't mean that parents should feel obliged to buy me a gift.
Yes I've had flowers, wine and chocs today but more importantly I've had parents who took the time to say a simple thank you in person.

[mrz]

Oh I did get a fresh cream strawberry meringue from one child.

[pinkplasticsandals]

It's waaaaay over the top. The classroom and assembly hall at dc's school was packed with flowers, wine, prosecco, chocolate boxes, gift bags from various stores such. I know that some if not all teachers were also given gift vouchers on top of this. Why? Most other people work hard. It can get very competitive and there certainly is peer pressure. I think it should be discouraged by the schools.

[poppy70]

Not that they should be obliged. No one wants anything...but whatever it is is just a token. As the parting gifts from teachers are a token. I don't think I will give any out if they are going to received by grumbling parents. It is dread uncouth. Make the teacher a cake or do say thank you... or nothing. Grumbling about money though... justb