To be irritated that people buy the teacher but not the TA presents at the end of term.

[Lucyellensmum99]

This really annoys me! My DD had both a lovely teacher and TA this year. Her TA helps her loads, but when i asked other mothers if they bought for both they made a face at me and said that they only bought for the teachers. I think this is really sad, as the TAs often have quite close contact with the children. My DD loved her TA this year and was quite clear she wanted to buy the same for TA and Teacher. We didn't buy much, some cheap flowers and choccies, we spent no more than £8 as DP and DD managed to find some bargain chocolates (i hope they weren't minging!) that looked nice.

Why would you not buy for the TA too?

Nope, not I. All 4 had little gifts from us. And thank you cards. They all contributed to my daughters happiness in school, so they all get thanked.

Same in the school where I work - TA's reaped it in!

I'm willing to bet that the teachers probably palm off share their pressies with the TAs but its the thought that counts isnt it.

Yanbu - totally agree

My mum's a TA and judging my the amount of gifts she receives at Christmas and end of term, she's either very popular or it's normal in her school to buy for the TA as well.

I guess it might depend on whether the TA is communal to the class or 1-2-1 but Mum's usually 1-2-1 so I don't know if that stands up.

am very happy to be proved wrong on this one :)

I was very fortunate this year as I received almost as many thank yous, cards (and gifts) as the class teacher. Every single methods of thanks was very much appreciated. It's lovely to think people feel I have done a good job. Just having someone say thank you makes all the difference.

Mind, I worked as a secondary school teachers a few years ago and presents and cards were very unusual.

My dd made cards for the teacher and TA :)

Always buy for TAs too

i bought for ds1's TA last year

I always get pressies for the Ta's. I've 4 dc's at primary. In teh reception class there are 3 assistants I get them presents too, and the secretary and the school crossing man, sometimes the head teacher, but not this year. So all in all I gave 12 presents!

Why not buy for everyone? Head teacher? School secretary? Dinner ladies? In fact why not just startcharging for state education?!

Everyone I know at dds school bought the TA and the teacher gifts.
My mum is a dinnertime supervisor and she got loads of presents and cards. Some from kids that were not in her class.

I hate being given gifts from pupils.

My Dd signed a card to her 'teachers' and put several (very small) presents in a pretty bag. That way her teacher, TA, the student and anyone else can take their pick.

Why, Lemonpie?

We did presents and cards for teacher and TA too.

I have always bought gifts for the TAs as well as the class teachers. They each got a bottle of wine and a little box of hand made chocolates as did the school secretary.

Lucie you took the words right out of my keyboard!

Class teacher
TA
Subject teachers
Head teacher
Deputy Head teacher
Caretaker
Cleaners
Secretary
Dinner ladies
Admin staff
Old Uncle Tom Cobbly and all

Basically if the TA in your child's class has made a good impact on your child's school life, then no doubt you'll think to buy them something.

But if they haven't, then they're just another member of staff that keeps the school ticking over.

I got them both presents but then we got an 'class of 12' picture and there were 3 names on there, one of whom I've never heard of. (((miss X)))

Oi, Worra, you forgot the bursar!

It is rather glum making when all the teachers around you are getting presents, and you are not. Rather felt like chopped liver today.

yanbu

my ds has had the most fantastic ta this first year

the teacher and the ta got a £5 gift card from boots each and a joint card

imo TA's do a fantastic job

I bought for both teachers and all 3 TA's.

They have all helped my ds's to have a great year in school and both have really thrived. Both ds's talk about their ta's as much as their teachers, so I'm sure that they've had a lot of input and therefore are just as deserving of our thanks.

I only buy for the teacher (who has ultimate responsibility for leading the class) and I only buy at the end of the summer term. Dd3 has just finished reception. My feelings about the teacher have improved through the term but tbh I don't think the TA ever particularly clicked with dd. In addition there are three other members of staff who have worked in that class regularly. I cannot afford to buy 5 presents or stand over dd whilst she writes 5 cards. She did 1 and presented one box of chocolates. I expect some sort of share out takes place in the staff room and if it doesn't - well that's life. Nobody routinely brings me a gift at work for doing my job.