To think buying a teacher gift but not a TA one is a dick move?

[Wannakisstheteacher]

Last day of school today. Standing waiting for the gates to open and see lots of children holding gift bags etc. One child showing the other children all the things she has for the teacher but doesn’t mention the TA. Another parent says she’s bought in chocolates for the teacher but again nothing for the TA - seems like the common theme from general chat.

AIBU to think it’s really low to bring in something for the teacher but nothing for the TA? They are so incredibly badly paid and have to do so much more than ever before so to bring in a full bag of stuff for the teacher but not even a small box of chocolates for the TA just seems like a dick move.

Yep, agreed. I always get equal gifts.

I agree.

Completely agree. Has this combo with a friend who said the teachers have to work harder, longer hours, etc. But they get paid more.

I just send in a box of goodies (biscuits, chocolates, alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks) addressed to year x staff and assume it'll be split.

If there's a specific TA for the class then they should get the same as the teacher. But when DS was in primary there were apparently 5 TAs that had something or other to do with his class. That might be pushing it finance wise to get them all the same as the teacher.

A TA doesn’t have the pressure or expectation to plan, mark, spend evenings in meetings and weekends on school work! I think if the TA or LA is assigned to a child then yes a gift is appropriate. I have only ever given to teachers as the TA have had no impact on my children’s schooling. I think a lot of people feel like this.

Agreed if there’s a dedicated TA for the whole class - there is in DD’s class so the TA and the teacher got the same, they spend the same amount of time with my child. If it’s a TA who is there primarily to work with one child rather than all of them that’s different and I wouldn’t.

Wish there wasn't pressure or competition to buy anyone anything. I can't afford either, my kid took nothing for anyone. I hope that's not judged.

There are a lot of other staff in schools that don't get presents who are all known to children. If they're lucky, they've got a nice teacher who will share their presents.

Try being a midday assistant!

I agree, they get paid a pittance, are often forgotten and are enourmously important in the day to day lives of our children. It's not so much the gift itself as the acknowledgement of their hard work.

I always get everyone involved with my child something, TAs are such a valuable asset to schools they deserve something.

I'm a TA and I don't really mind. The teachers are the ones who probably see the parents in the morning and afternoon, at parents evenings etc. In our school, and probably others, we have several TAs floating around the year group as we specialise in different areas and run provision groups for children in all the classes, rather than being assigned to a specific class so your child could be seeing any number of them throughout the week. Parents probably wouldn't even know that, let alone the children remembering the names of them all.

It is lovely when the children remember us (I had a lovely personalised water bottle from one of the children I work with this year!) but we aren't all gnashing our teeth and griping in the staffroom if we are left out 😁

@RegularNameChangerVersion21 exactly! It’s the message that they are clearly not valued at all that I don’t like. It’s not about the value of the gift (I spent £5 on each of them) it’s the idea that the teacher is making a valuable contribution so is ‘worthy’ of a gift, but the TA isn’t, so doesn’t.

The thing is, after the first few years, a class may not have a fixed TA. In DS's year (Y3) there is one TA across 3 classes, but they rarely see her in reality. They have other TA's for reading and maths groups, yet another covered his teacher's paternity leave. Two children have 1:1s, but not always the same ones.

We always gave TA gifts in earlier years, but it was difficult in Y2 and impossible now

We do collections and I believe they split it between the TAs and teachers with the latter getting a larger sum. But if it was just presents I'd probably only buy for the teacher as my DD seems to have about 10 rotating TAs and rarely even knows their name. I certainly don't!

Maybe I should add that we are lucky enough to have a fixed TA per class!

Would just like to add I do work and attend meetings out of school hours, plus some planning and marking as well - I don't turn up at 9 and swan home at 3 leaving everything for the teacher!

It really surprises me that the TAs have no impact on your child's schooling. Mine are year 1 and year 4 and the TAs do loads. They do phonics sessions, cover the class for the teacher's prep time, the break time supervision and general support for the children. My children don't have their own TAs but the class ones have a lot of input in their daily school lives.

You don't know the circumstances. I got the teacher and TA the same hocolates each and some biscuits and coffee to share but I put a candle in for the teacher as an extra thankyou as she's been pushing for extra support for ds as she's also the senco and actioned an educational care plan so he can get support.

I genuinely think people don’t understand the role of the TA.

I am a TA. You might be surprised to know that I teach - I have my own Maths and Phonics groups. In previous years I have supported every single child in the year group (a sight difference in my role this year). I am also a midday supervisor- so support every single child at lunchtime.

Quite honestly, it’s usually the TAs that children go to when they are upset, so we are dealing with the pastoral issues, not the teachers. It’s us who do the first aid, not the teachers. I think the TAs know the children better than anyone else.

Please don’t discount us. Morale is low at the moment - we could earn so much more in supermarkets, and that’s just not right.

Likewise, I estimate I give an extra day a week for free at school, just catching up on admin like marking and preparing resources, filing etc. Stuff that can’t get done in the school day because I am looking after the children during the school day. Plus looking after children whose parents are late to collect.

I totally agree with your message. I love and value the TAs at our school. They seem to know my children even better than the teachers do. We do a class contribution for gifts at our school, and put the money towards vouchers etc. The money is split equally between the teachers and TAs.

I used to be a ta. At my first school I was given the same gifts as the teacher , at my second I got nothing.

I always give the same box of chocolates to the teacher and ta at my son's school.

At the school I used to work in, all non-personal gifts (like chocolate, wine etc) were pooled and split between all staff, including office and lunchtime supervision staff. Most primary school children will take a gift for their teacher and maybe the occasional other member of staff - and no teacher needs 30 presents while lots of other staff have few or none. There was a giant gathering of gifts in the hall after school and all the staff got to choose one gift each at a time until they were all gone. It was brilliant!

The TA has no impact on your child’s schooling?

I am a TA.
I work with lower ability groups to enable teacher to concentrate on your child.
I take disruptive pupils for a run around the playground to enable your child to continue working undisturbed.
I look over your child’s work and support in class (all children, no matter their ability seek reassurance, guidance, praise from a TA on a regular basis)
I help your child look for their lost water bottle, missing lunch box, misplaced jumper.
I help your child open wrappers and packets at lunchtime.
I wipe the tables in the lunch hall so your child has somewhere clean to sit and eat.
I help your child tie their shoe laces and zip up their coat.
I help your child negotiate playground squabbles and friendship issues.
I listen to your child read.
I cheer on your child during sports competitions and on sports day.
I accompany your child on trips to ensure all have a good time and no one gets lost.
I make costumes and props for your child’s Christmas performance and help them learn their lines and songs.
I admire your child’s artwork.
I am always there for your child.

I don’t want gifts.

I do however want a bit of recognition - I exist. Your child benefits.