Teachers end of Year presents in Secondary school

[Casbotsproudmum]

As my dd is only in year 7 I now find myself in a completely odd position where I have no idea what to do. No class reps and in a lovely state girls school but with kids from all over West and outside London (not really knowing other parents) . My dd have 2 favourite teachers and only want to get something for them. Her form teacher, who doesn't have them in any subjects; I would just get cheap box of chocolates for(i been told by dd). What about the 2 favourites, as I only meet them once for 5 minutes I don't know what to get : Wine, vouchers, cakes, keyring, etc? My dd think the whole thing is quite embarrassing as well so I get the impression the smaller the better! Or nothing? What to do? Please help!

I wouldn't give any presents ... just a nice handmade 'Thank you' card should be enough but if you really want to give presents, a group class photo in a nice picture frame would be well received I think...or you might want buy plain stretched canvas & paint sets from Wilkinsons or any other High street art shops for your DC so she can paint herself nice little pieces of art for every teacher she likes? I'm sure the teachers will appreciate your DC's effort.

Most secondary school pupils would be mortified to be seen bringing in end of year presents. Mine have only ever done it where the whole class arrange a collection themselves (the pupils not the parents). If you want to thank the staff, they would really appreciate a box of biscuits or chocolates for the staff room (drop them off yourself if possible to Reception desk a few days before the end of term to help them get to the finishing line!)

Agree that most secondary school pupils don't give presents to teachers.

I have had lots of end of year presents, usually from girls. I like wine the best as it lasts until I get back from hols whereas I have to donate flowers to my neighbours if I'm going away. If she wants to get a small gift then I think that is lovely, chocolates or biscuits can be great and shared with other staff. Not sure where the teacher would put a frame with student pictures in.

Secondary kids don't give presents.

Most appreciated would be a thank you card/email with the head of department copied in, detailing what the teacher had done that had helped the student. So not 'thanks for a great year' but 'thanks for making maths so interesting' or 'thanks for the time you spent helping us to put on the performance' or 'thanks for taking us on the trip to the theatre'. This would be very useful for a performance management folder and pay rise application.

My DS's form teacher keeps his previous years form photos received as presents from pupils on his desk and filling cabinets in the classroom, staff meeting room and the PTA's room.

Write a card with something personal in it. Don't do presents-there's no need.

Our secondary school has had a bit of a shit year (evil ofsted inspection etc)

I was wondering about general, sharey presents for staff room

Big box of chocs etc

I think secondary school teachers get a bit of a bum deal on this one. Our primary couldve done with an end of term present ROOM

I teach secondary and very very rarely get any gifts. Which is fine by the way :)

One of my form gave me some chocs one Christmas; one of my year 11s gave me a box of Roses this summer which really meant a lot as there was a lovely reason for it :D

I agree with those who say an email or card saying thanks; or a box of Celebrations for the staff room (maybe a day or two before the end of term) will disappear in no time and be much appreciated.

I think secondary school teachers get a bit of a bum deal on this one.

As someone who's taught mainly in secondary I really don't want presents. They're actually a nuisance to deal with (chocolate/biscuits/etc..,-I don't want the calories, wine-I don't drink much and world's best teacher mug style gifts all end up in the charity shop for goodness knows wkbyo buy). I know when I'm appreciated by students-I don't need presents to tell me. Cards are lovely though and I keep them all.

A handmade card, or a handwritten note or letter are the best. I've got a book, made for me when Inleft one school, with personal messages. Wonderful!

Sometimes just a verbal thank you suffices. I remember with great affection, a boy I taught years ago, who told me he would never forget me- in a good way!

My DS's form teacher keeps his previous years form photos received as presents from pupils on his desk and filling cabinets in the classroom, staff meeting room and the PTA's room.

Why does he receive multiple class photos, and how do you know where around the school he dumps displays them?

I think a nice box of chocs or biscuits for staff room probably will be appreciated. Most teachers don't get presents in secondary unless it's year 11 students who sometimes buy gifts of wine etc for teachers who have helped them lots with their exam subjects. If your dd has teachers they have particularly made loads of progress with, you could send a nice email, thanking them.

Have sent biscuits or Chocs in for staffroom.

DD's yr9 lot have been bringing presents for their GCSE-subject teacher all week (bog standard comp in the provinces...) DD got the teacher a card + a spikey aloe plant. Lots of flowers from other pupils.

In my school presents are unusual except at the end of year 11 or year 13. I always appreciate a card and keep every one I've ever been given. Presents are nice but not what I really remember apart from a few very unusual ones (a goldfish! what parent thought a goldfish was a good idea for a person who had never expressed any interest in fish?! And a huge and very thoughtful hamper of stuff I love from an especially lovely bunch of y13s).

Meant to add that as a parent, the only teacher we have ever bought for in secondary (3 x teenagers here) was DS1's catering teacher who really really put in a lot of effort to help him get his C last year. We got her a box from Lush as DS1 knew she would like it.

In my school it is not uncommon for Year 7 tutors to get presents. Other form tutors get them very occasionally, with the possible exception of Year 13. Subject teachers only tend to get presents from departing Year 13s. For a form tutor, I would agree with box of chocolates or wine, but nothing is equally fine. For subject teachers, I definitely wouldn't, but if you are happy with all her teachers, a box of chocolates or biscuits for the staff room would go down well. Definitely don't go for a framed class photo, especially not for anyone other than the form teacher! If form teachers want form photos to display in weird areas of the school I'm sure they get them themselves.

My DS chooses to get his form tutor a gift at Christmas and for the end of year. To be fair, she is absolutely amazing and she is one of his subject teachers as well as form tutor. We've got a box of chocolates for the staff room from us a family and a voucher for a mani/pedi for the form tutor.