Should teacher and TA get the same?

[Crunchymum]

Parents contributed for a class gift (vouchers) for teacher and TA.

Organiser decided to give £260 to teacher and £140 . Was SBU?

• £140 to TA

I’ve worked as both and say fair enough but blimey that’s a fortune!

Our TA is morning only so we split like that. If FT I think they should get the same.

I'd give a lot more to the teacher. They have to plan all the lessons, attend all the meetings, to all the reports, appraisals etc. It's not only about contact time with the children. TAs have far far less responsibility behind the scenes, so I think that sounds fair.

It’s fair to give teacher more especially when kids past age 7-8 as they are not as involved in the care unlike when they are younger.
Teacher is responsible for lessons SATS preparation etc and often take lots of work home.

Teacher should get more, yes. Their responsibility and work load is far greater than a TA.

TAs get paid about half what a teacher does though and is often treated like crap. I think it depends on hours and set up in your school how you would split it. Organiser should have discussed with others how to split it before doing anything.

TAs do a lot for very little pay. I always gave as much to the TAs (and the office staff) when my kids were at school. not biased just because I'm a TA

I've had a bottle of booze and a large box of chocs from a grateful mam whose dd I've been working with for 3 years. I may get a small gift from the parents of the child I do 1:1 with (but I'm not expecting anything tbh). I work with about 30 children in small groups as well and will get nothing and I don't expect anything.

The TA has the option of walking out the door 5 minutes after the children and not thinking about his/her job until 5 minutes before the start of school the next day if s/he chooses - the teacher, not so much.

That said, we've bought exactly the same for the TA as for the teacher!

Also, when your kids fall over, need reassurance or are having a crap day, who do you think it is, mainly, offering support?

I teach Reception and think it should be split 50/50.

Without my TA I'd be lost. She is genuinely the most important part of my classroom. She anticipates what could go right or wrong at any given time, she's patient beyond belief and she gives more effort, passion and love to our classroom than anyone could ask for.

No.

Good TA's are worth their weight in gold but their workload is far less than a teacher's.

Not class gift but I have spent similar amounts on TA and teacher. Both have been fantastic. Ta has given my son lots of pastoral support .

When did TA's become the norm?

I don't remember having anyone but the teacher in any of my classrooms.

Missing the point entirely, but are teachers even allowed to accept a gift of that amount?

More for the teacher than the TA, UNLESS, the TA was a 1-1 for your DC, then YOU give something special to the TA yourself.

I think it should be 50/50. They are paid for their work, so the end of year gifts are just appreciation of what they do for children. I don't think it makes difference if teachers have more responsibilities and work load than ta or not.

Flippitydip I used to be a TA in a school for children with complex needs. None of the TAs left 5 minutes after the children! We stayed for at least 45 minutes to prep or sort equipment etc. I can assure you that the majority of us think about the children we work with all the time.

TAs who work 1:1 as I did really do know that child best and will be helping to plan and implement strategies along with the teacher.

Saying that the teachers I have worked with so incredibly long hours and go above and beyond all the time.

50:50 as it’s a gift not payment for their work. That’s A LOT though, are you sure they can accept it? I’m a HTLA but not in a school setting and I would not be allowed to accept anything like that.

HLTA I mean 🙈

I did 2/3 to teacher 1/3 to TA both got wine and flowers as well. My thought process is the teacher takes the brunt of the responsibility and stress. However in previous years I have give the play assistants and TA and additional coffee voucher for £20 each as they were the ones attending to the personal care of my child who was having a few issues

Teachers tend to do more work and obviously get paid a lot more than a TA.
As a gift not a payment of work they should receive the same unless e.g TA is part time.

I sent in (very modest) Costa vouchers for my DC's two teachers and two TAs. Same amount for each. I'm not remunerating them for their respective responsibilities, I'm thanking them, and IMO they deserve equal thanks.

Bertbox I wondered the same. In my public sector role I wouldn't be able to accept a gift of greater value than £10.

We give a gift which is the same amount to DDs teacher and TA as teachers do more work but also are remunerated accordingly.