Teachers gifts in London private secondaries

[iloveapplesandcakes]

Looking for some advice re custom for Christmas teachers gifts in private secondaries (London, specifically interested in likes of Kings, Westminster, SPS). DC just started new school and parents don't club together here so we need to buy for their tutor only and know nothing about their interests. Any hints re budget would be appreciated as well

Hi OP

My children are still at prep school so it may be different. It’s worth asking for the policy on teachers’ gifts (there will be one). Teachers at our school have to declare a gift from an individual family worth more than £25 to the bursar (although a collection is fine). If the bursar thinks the gift is excessive, they may be expected to return it.

Do you have a class rep? Normally they collect from parents who want to participate and buy something like a John Lewis voucher from all the pupils in the class.

Yes agree with crucru there will be a policy on declaring acceptance of individual gifts over a certain value.

No presents given in our outer London (expensive) private school. Gifts tend to be given to teachers who had the most impact when the children leave.

My DC were at a private London secondary. Presents weren’t given, but this was about five years ago. Maybe things have changed.

No experience of private so it may be different, but speaking as a parent and also someone who has taught in secondary schools, it's unusual to give gifts to teachers.

We gave something to a teacher who had specifically helped DS1; and I once received a gift from a student for a specific reason, but as standard, no. Obviously give something if you want to - in which case I suggest something like a £5 or £10 Costa voucher will always be acceptable.

I used to send a box of wine to the Learning Support department every xmas. I didn't give a specific gift until DD left and that was to 2 specific teachers who made a huge impact, and still do, on her. Both received a very personal gift worth about £50 each and a personalised card from DD.

I would buy online John Lewis vouchers if you don’t know them very well - partly because that is easy.

We didn’t give gifts in secondary (private SL girls school)

Ask class rep since they may have older kids and know what have been done. Please note, we know in primary schools some parents giving excessive gifts and this is due to senior staff changes and allowing it, whilst our secondary schools are vouchers with a suggestion level. Otherwise, John Lewis vouchers or we found in Waitrose there are gift vouchers with a wide list of places offline and online for them to shop.

I did ask on parents whatsup and the answer was that everyone does own thing. We collected and did class gifts in prep so it was very different and way much easier.

The tutor is wonderful and I'd really like to give a gift.
It's a good point re policy