To ask how much to give for teachers Christmas collection

[foxyloxy78]

What's a reasonable amount for a teacher and two assistants?

[woofmiaowwoof]

Some people give nothing and that’s absolutely fine - norms vary by schools. There’s no collection at mine so I give each of them a bottle of wine - cost £9 each, I tend to be on the more generous side for my school.

[Crumbs1]

Entirely depends on school. Ask the person organising or another parent what the norm is. A small village primary might be £10, a large independent boarding might be £250.

[StinkPickle]

In our class We do £20 for the collection at xmas and summer. £10 for teacher and £10 for the TA.

It’s always been like this and the other year groups do the same within the school. (Private infant school)

[rcit]

If it’s goingbetween 3 people I’d give 20

[CasperGutman]

At my children's school we all give "up to £5". Surely £80 to £150 for a festive token of appreciation is ample?

[implantsandaDyson]

My daughters primary school class is doing £10 for 1 teacher and 2 assistants. About half of the class are doing it, it’s organised through the class WhatsApp group.

[Mulberry72]

DS class (Y6) don’t do a collection, the DC/parents do individual gifts/cards if they want to.

[Mistoffelees]

I'd be mortified if every parent thought they had to spend £10 on me, over the class that would be £300!! I would say the 'average' parent spend on me is between £5 and £10 with some not buying anything and others spending slightly more.
The thing I appreciate most is a note in the Xmas card to say they're child is happy and settled at school. My most appreciated gift was from a child (5yo) who had quite a bad home life who put together a gift for me with just the help of her 7 year old sister.

[Migraleve]

Schools do Christmas collections for the teachers

God where we are the kids make a card and hand in some cheap chicks or biscuits!

When did they start expecting huge collections?

[ecosln]

Xmas I give £20 for teacher and 2 ta. One of which is a dedicated ta to one child but clearly is part of the classroom and would assist when needed. End of summer term to say thanks and goodbye £30. I worked it out at end of last term and the total collected divided by 30 kids was £7.60.....

[croise]

We've been told £15.00, that would be between two teachers, independent school (if that makes a difference, I don't think it does).

[KTD27]

migraleve I’m not sure teachers ‘expect’ collections!
I’m a teacher and have never in 12 years had a collection nor would I expect it. I would love a card with a message but that’s it.
A thank you gift would be amazing of course but it’s absolutely not an expectation.

[Amanduh]

I don't think any teacher ever expects it ffs. I've never ever had a collection for me or any staff in any school I've worked in either!

[mumzuki]

This has to be a private school thing? I'm pretty sure that expecting gifts from children or parents falls under the category of 'grooming' in local authority safeguarding guidance. When kids in my class have money out I always say 'It's alright, the school pays me - you don't have to have a whip round!' Until five minutes ago I thought I was making joke.

[Migraleve]

migraleve I’m not sure teachers ‘expect’ collections!

So who is arranging them? Surely it must be coming from School? I wouldn't hand over cash to a random parent who said they were collecting for a teacher!

[DontLetMeBeMisunderstood]

We’ve done a suggested £5 donation and that’s to go around two teachers and two teaching assistants. It’s not much but it’s just a token of appreciation. My son will write a card out for each of the classroom staff too.

[croise]

It's a couple of the parents arranging the collections here, not the school. I think it's good of them to do this, it saves me some inconvenience and time.

[DontLetMeBeMisunderstood]

Migraleve - they’ve always been organised by parents in our school - I guess they could be siphoning off the money but I know the parents who are doing it this year and I’d be astounded if they were doing that, I’m happy to trust

[stargirl1701]

You need to be careful with this. Anything over £25 has to be reported to my employer (the LA) and HMRC. We get an email every June and Dec about this.

A nice hand made Christmas card from a child has far more meaning and value.

[Wait4nothing]

I’m a teacher - never had a collection. I’d say presents from 20-60% of kids dependent on class. So if you don’t want to give dont worry - it’s not expected! If a collection is easier for you I’d say max £2 per adult buying for. IMO it should be less than you’d spend on a present (but the staff will get more from it as they can get something of their own choice)

[Migraleve]

Oh wow. So people hand over £20 happily to strangers!! No thanks. I think we will stick with the card and choccies. In fact I'm quite sure if I walked up to random strangers in the playground asking for cash they would think I had gone crazy!

[chickenowner]

I would be really uncomfortable to be given a large amount of money or a voucher worth a lot.

It's lovely receiving a gift of course, but it's not expected. A card or drawing made by the child is always a nice thing to be given.

[Marinade]

@mumzuki What an absolutely ridiculous statement to make! How can the parents giving a collective Christmas gift amount to grooming? It is not the children who contribute but the parents. My children do not go to a private school and there is always a class collection at Christmas and the end of summer to say thank you to the teachers.We usually buy vouchers for them. It is a lovely gesture that is appreciated. Its not about what is expected by the teachers, it is about showing appreciation. People contribute what they can - usually between £5 and £15.

[Liverbird77]

I am a teacher and I do not expect any Christmas presents. I am paid to do my job and that is fine. I find these seasonal collection expectations really annoying. We have one every summer for the school catering staff. It annoys me because I only work part time and I am pretty sure they earn more than me!

[Imokyoureok]

Our school does a collection per class. Suggested donation is £10 per child which is then split between the teacher, TA, support staff and the head. I find it a bit strange the head is involved myself.