Teachers asking for freebies on Facebook

[astersugar]

Forgive the provocative title. But can someone explain this? I'm part of a few community reuse sites which are wonderful. Great for finding new homes for things and picking up things for free. Over the past week I've seen about four or five different teachers asking for toys for their new classes in September. Is this really how it works? Is this normal across the country? Is it really the case that teachers either have to beg for hand me downs or dip into their own pockets to properly resource their classrooms? It's been quite eye opening this week. I know I could ask one of the teachers this but I don't want to cause offence and my instincts say they're doing the very best they can so I don't want to open a can of worms on their posts. But does anyone work in education here who can explain this? I naively thought that schools would have funding to purchase learning resources, toys etc or at least the PTA would cover this... Seems I was very wrong.

@teanbiscuitio as a single parent (and teacher only on M4), I can’t afford that sort of money per term for my two children. It’s already shameful that I have to rely on Universal Credit top ups, because the government acknowledges that my wage is so poor.

I'd rather things went to a school where they will be used-why is it cheeky for teachers to ask for things for school rather than people asking for themselves?

However there is one cheeky "teacher" who pops up from time to time on one I'm on. They usually ask for something like "Local school needs a large shed (at least 10' x 12') for my special needs kids to have a sensory room. Must take down and deliver. PM me."

Then a few weeks later I see them selling something matching that description on another site I'm on, sometimes more than one. I also happen to know they aren't a teacher now work at any school.

We are lucky, our PTA raises a lot of money, we have wish lists and our parents organise class cake sales where the money goes directly to the teacher to choose what’s needed for the class. Even so the school is still filled with things that once belonged to children of staff and things they have bought themselves.

@EdithGrantham Im in north east Hampshire. Unfortunately all I’ve got left is felt off cuts (not shapes unfortunately, just small pieces, but useable for collages or something). You’d be very welcome to them if you’re near. Or my husband works in Reading if that's nearer

Aah thank you! I went to a new charity shop this afternoon and found some great books (including a set of 10 Princess Diaries for £1 - if these aren't popular anymore then I will read them!) so now I have enough to fill the book shelves I have got ! Thank you so much anyway

@OhFatty ahh thanks, you're rather out of my way as I'm in Warwickshire. I'd suggest just dropping them at your local school or nursery as I'm sure they'd appreciate them