To think if you get the teacher an Xmas gift..

[twohomesneeded]

... that you don't forget the TA?

It doesn't have to be another gift, just a card from your child (or you) saying how much their support is appreciated.

Being a TA can sometimes be a thankless (and occasionally challenging) task and this one small thing could just make your child's TA smile and count themselves lucky to have great kids and parents at their school.

Well it depends how much interaction the child has with the TA and their relationship, surely?

Working in the same room as someone who's being given a gift doesn't entitle you to a gift.

I couldn't tell you who the TA is in my child's class. I know someone comes in to do 1-1 work with a group of kids but my child doesn't have any interaction with them. Where do you draw the line, dinner ladies, admin staff, pastoral care team? I think the teachers should make sure the TA's are recognised at Christmas time & split the gifts accordingly.

It depends. Some TA’s spend all their time assisting a few children. If your child never deals with them, why would you get a gift?

Definitely depends on the use of the TA in the classroom. A TA who is working as a whole class assistant, covering the class at times, hearing all the kids read - absolutely. But a TA who is a 1:1 assistant for a child who isn't mine? I'm not buying a gift. Ditto if they work consistently with lower ability children - they'd never have done anything with mine so a Xmas gift for me would not be appropriate.

Is buying for teachers etc a new thing....??...in 27 years i got a few cards from students....nothing else....in fact it was very rare to get a card or a gift...!!

SirSam- ouch! That final line is fairly misguided. I can't think of any TAs that just 'work with lower ability children' (an outdated term, btw). Even if their main job role is targeted intervention for children with SEN/D and EHCPs, they are the ones greeting in the morning, encouraging in reluctant children, getting breakfast for those that missed it, often the people called upon for first aid, sickness, wandering children and behaviour. So yes, despite being sure 'they'd never have done anything' with yours, rest assured they will!

Speaking as a teacher, we'd all rather you didn't get us presents! We're in a cost of living crisis and given the rising number of families we're supporting with food parcels, perhaps consider donating to your local foodbank if you are able (and a handwritten card is always gratefully received!)

My SM is lollipop lady and she gets loads of presents at Christmas!

SirSam- ouch! That final line is fairly misguided. I can't think of any TAs that just 'work with lower ability children' (an outdated term, btw)

Couldn't agree more. Having a special educational need is not the same as being a 'lower ability child' . I have taught many very intelligent, academically able students who needed specific help because of a SEN.

So yes, despite being sure 'they'd never have done anything' with yours, rest assured they will!

In primary maybe, where TAs are often doing general helping. I'm pretty certain neither of my dc have never even had any interaction with a TA at secondary.

If they are working with a group of children, as opposed to a 1:1, then yes , those children would be lower ability in whatever aspect of work they were engaging in and in need of TA assistance. Otherwise they wouldn't need TA assistance!

God good, are we really claiming children don't have differing abilities now? I bet no-one is objecting if their child is referred to as higher ability in maths, for example.

The reporting on attainment is literally based on expected ability in regards to age related expectations.

My dad can't tell me the the names of the TAs in her class. One is working 1:1 with a child who is working 3 years below his age related expectations and the other is working with a group of children who are lower in academic performance than the rest of the class - is that sufficiently round the houses for you?

Dad? DD, obviously.

It's the norm at primary level. Certainly was when I was teaching, around 25 years ago.

I’ve stopped getting the teacher a present at xmas this last couple of years as sometimes my child has had two teachers, and then there’s the classroom assistant. It’s become an unnecessary expense in the current climate. I get a nice little present for them at the end of the school year in the summer (including any classroom assistants).

I had no idea who the TAs were towards the end of primary. Never had any dealings with them - not going to get them a gift if I have no idea whether they actually deserve one or not.

So the (I'm guessing primary) teacher gets a gift, but the much lower paid TA will be gushingly grateful for a small card, right.....

SirSam- I do see your point, and accept that I was perhaps being a little sensitive! As 'round the houses' at it might seem though, lower ability (although used by many in and education) is genuinely outdated. Ability suggests it is fixed: you are 'lower' and will stay there and as well we know that's simply not true! Also someone who is 'lower ability' in maths may not struggle with all areas of maths so doesn't fit that profile

To clarify, I'm talking primary school. I also know times are tight hence saying a card with a note goes a long way.

I work in a primary. I see how hard those TAs work. Whilst not assigned to a particular class as they work across a year group, they are the ones that look after your child if they feel ill in school, fall out with friends, help manage their emotions, check in with them on occasion if there are things happening outside of school (eg a grandparent dying), do the first aid and the TLC that goes with, supervise at lunchtimes, give general encouragement during class assemblies or other performances. It's not just the 1:1 academic. Primary school isn't just about the academic, it's about helping your child grow and navigate being one of many in a busy environment - many struggle with that. With year 6 they support kids preparing to transition to secondary school.

I also know many kids don't talk much about what happened at school at pick up time, beyond the "ok" response when you ask how school was. That doesn't mean the TA hasn't supported your child at some point.

I was a child in the eighties and we always gave the teacher a present at Christmas. I was a teacher myself in the early 2000’s and also got presents. Definitely not a new thing.

Oh good grief, the attitude towards TAs here is appalling!!
Rest assured if your dc's class has a TA they will be working their backsides off for a pittance to make sure that your child is happy and supported in school. Most will go above and beyond over the Christmas period to make sure your child gets a good Christmas.
And those talking scathingly about TAs only supporting lower ability children. Firstly, that should not be true any more. Teachers are strongly encouraged not to do that. Secondly, even if it is true, the fact that he/she supports a higher need group of learners means that the teacher is freed up to support/challenge your child.
I'm a teacher and I'd rather the TA got a gift than me. They are honestly worth their weight in gold, on a tiny salary!
And for those who don't even know their class TA's name? Ask your child, go on the school website, find out rather than revealing in your own ignorance.

My school does not have TAs. There are learning support staff who are in classrooms, sometimes all day, to assist particular children. They're great people and will help out with a small group of struggling students where they can. But 80% of the class will have little to do with them.

So unless your child is one of that small group, I don't know why you would buy them a gift. If your child is being supported, please do! The learning support staff work really hard.

In my DS’s class we do a collection and split it between the teacher, TA (who is a general class TA), the receptionist and the PPA cover teacher who is absolutely wonderful. It’s not a completely even split - teacher gets the most and smaller gifts for the receptionist and cover teacher but they definitely deserve something too.

Up until this year we've always done a whole class collection and then split between the teacher and any TA. But this year my DD's class has the following staff: 2x jobshare teachers, 1x PPA cover teacher (full day once a week) 1x full time 1:1 TA, 2x part time TA (morning / afternoon) and 1x PPA cover teacher (one afternoon every three weeks). Trying to work out any kind of fair split between that lot is impossible, and as I'm already pissed off at the lack of consistent, stable staffing for my DD, I'm not buying individual gifts either. DD can write cards for the ones she chooses and I'll leave it at that for this year.

Or don’t get any of the gifts

I was planning on something for two TAs, a teacher, and a PE guy I see about on Wednesdays. I wouldn't want to have anyone feel left out, especially the lowest paid staff.

No way I can afford that, nor can 80% of the parents in my DD's class I'd guess. Not this year.

My son goes to an SEN school so there are 4 full time TA’s plus’s the teacher plus a lunchtime assistant. I’ve always bought them all a Christmas and end of year gift as I know how difficult by DC can be and how hard it must be working in an SEN school. Times are definitely harder so this year the gift will be smaller but still want to give a token, it wouldn’t occur to me to forget the TA at my sons school as they play such a pivotal role in his care. My friend is a TA at a Mainstream school and I know how hard she works so I think I’d still buy for a TA if my son had been in a mainstream environment too.

obviously plenty of people can’t afford gifts at all this year which is completely understandable. I would probably give a card or more in that situation x