To ask whether cards for teachers at the end of the secondary school year is a thing?

[Thepeopleversuswork]

As above: coming to the end of my DD's first secondary year. None of the parents has mentioned anything about a card or collection for teachers yet. I don't really know what the etiquette is here. Do people do this? I'm happy to buy a card etc but don't want to look like I'm guilting people who are busy or don't have time, particularly if it's just something which is done. We always did it in primary.

Presents at secondary is not a thing

It’s not a thing at secondary school for the younger years to give cards out but individual students do give cards to their fave teachers. It’s usually year 11 and year 13s who get cards/gifts either individually or in groups
Sometimes tutor groups will all sign a card for their tutor.

It doesn't seem to be a thing at secondary school from my experience.

I sometimes wonder about sending a few tins of Celebrations or similar in, but DS tells me there are a few staff rooms, so I'm not sure whether that would work in reality.

Lots of DS's teachers have been brilliant with him, so I sent them some thank you emails at the end of his first year.

So yeah, I'm not really sure how secondary school works either 😄! Hopefully some other people might have some ideas.

Only gave cards and gifts when leaving at end of year 11, and only to form teachers or other teachers who DC wanted to.

As a secondary teacher a simple verbal thank you in the way out rather than a f**k off is really nice 🤣

My DC had around 16 different teachers in Year 7. Just not practical to send out cards to more than the odd favourite teacher.

My husband gets lots of cards from
individual pupils and a few from families
of the kids he has supported a lot. He gets gifts from his form and from y11 leavers too.

Last year there was a yearbook created that had little profiles of the staff and one of the questions was favourite drink. He said Johnnie Walker and then ended up with 12 bottles of it! He was made up 😂

A thank you card is always appreciated. I did not want families using their spare cash on a gift for me to be honest, people have little enough spare cash as it is and it's another pressure- a thank you goes a long way for teachers.

I’m a secondary teacher. Some students give a card and/or a present at the end of Year 11 or Year 13 (especially to their form tutor), but end-of-year presents each July are definitely not a thing.

If there’s a particular teacher who really has gone above and beyond for your child, an email (copying in the head, ideally!) is very much appreciated.

Yes, this! I’m always so (pleasantly) surprised if a student thanks me on their way out of the classroom.

I get cards sometimes but it's not a thing everyone does. They're always treasured.

But the biggest, best thing you can do for a teacher if you're really grateful for something? Send them a nice email and copy in the Head. That's the best thing ever!

Thanks all. A couple of teachers in particular have helped my DD with what has been quite a difficult year and I do want to thank them individually for going above and beyond so maybe I will buy a card.

I sent an email at the end of year 9 new Senco - amazing difference cc in head.

I have bought a card for Ds’s form tutor now he has left .

My DD has received hand written cards from pupils from all years up to sixth form and often from one's least expected, it is incredibly touching and a reminder that all the hard work and stress is all worth it if you are making a difference to peoples lives even in a small way.

I think its even more appreciated when it's heart felt and personal rather than sort of an obligation like at primary school and it is also a lovely way to teach older children to show kindness and gratitude.

Send the cards x

We don't get presents in secondary school because most pupils have upwards of 15 teachers each year. It's nice for tutors to get a token gift when pupils leave in year 11 or 13. I have a lovely display of thank you cards pinned to my 'wall of love' noticeboard above my desk which is really appreciated.

Not a thing! Too many teachers, support staff etc
save the thank yous for when it really matters - a teacher really makes an impact in a subject or with pastoral care or for when leaving school

I emailed my DDs temporary head of year today to thank him for his support with some issues and how he's turned things around for my DD, I copied in the head, we don't send cards though

Thanks. Good tip on copying in the head too.

I send in sweets / biscuits to the staff room (Christmas & summer) & a general thank you card to each of my older DC teachers, sent via their tutor.

Occasionally I've got a small gift or specific card for a particular teacher - usually it's my DD who asks to do this, and it comes from her rather than me.

They always seem really appreciative of the treats so I guess it's not done by many people.

Please email the teacher, copying in the head, that would be amazing.

Unless it's the maths teacher, in which case also follow-up with a massive gift basket 👍

@noblegiraffe ☺️🤣

Depends how much extra work you/your kid has made them.

I've sent in leaving gifts to support staff in SEN department.

My dd is a secondary teacher and she gets lots of cards and presents. The cards are lovely and the teens write lovely things. The presents are definitely bought by the kids with their own money and not the parents. She get's flowers from the garden, bars of chocolate and even a box of Jaffa cakes. They all tend to be from year 11 or 13 leavers though.

I have been wondering this too. Does.copying in the head really appreciated? It's the sort of.thing I would usually do for a junior person? But I do want to show ds's teacher my appreciation and was trying to think about a card/gift/email/ voucher.

With so many teachers, it’s mostly the form tutor who gets a card. Upper sixth tend to give a gift; wine or chocolates or a mug (😬) to their A level teachers