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Secondary education

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Original poster

End of year present for a really good teaching assistant

14 replies

elliejjtiny · 05/07/2025 01:35

Ds has had a really good teaching assistant in year 7 who has gone above and beyond for ds this year. His form tutor has been really good too. I was just going to get the form tutor a box of chocolates and a card as ds will keep the form tutor until the end of year 11 unless the form tutor leaves. The teaching assistant will be working with the new year 7's though, which Ds is quite sad about. I want to do something really thoughtful for the teaching assistant though. i wouldn't normally get a "best teaching assistant" mug, but this is the teaching assistants first year on the job so probably hasn't got one, although she might have 30 soon if everyone in the class buys her one! I thought i would send an email to say how brilliant she has been but wasn't sure if i should send that to the head teacher, the senco or if there was anyone else in charge of the teaching assistants who i should send it to.

OP posts:
simsbustinoutmimi · 05/07/2025 03:22

Nobody in secondary school buys gifts for the teachers. It’s quite a primary-school thing and pupils tend to be teased handing in a gift for them. I’m sorry, I wouldn’t do this.

Firenze12 · 05/07/2025 06:52

People do in our secondary school and always have done when I worked in secondary. I think it would be lovely if you ccd the Head and SENCO so that this teaching assistant is recognised. Especially if they are new to role. Personally I always prefer flowers, nice chocolate or a voucher (doesn't need to be for much money) so that I can choose something I need.

NoviceScoutMum · 05/07/2025 07:29

We had the most amazing experience in my sons first year of school. We never thought he'd survive in mainstream, never mind thrive. I sent an email to the senco and cc'd the head and academy principal person. I'd maybe send a card to the TA directly via the office rather than your son taking it in if it's not the "done thing".

Mine is still in primary so today we're starting the very time consuming task of making multiple thank you cards 😆

Willow12345 · 05/07/2025 07:57

In our secondary school, most parents gave small gifts or cards to the teachers, especially in Year 7.
And I think it’s a lovely idea to email the Head about the TA.

As a teacher, we get a lot of boxes of chocolates(!) and I think a card, with a personal message, is the best.

deedeemeloy · 05/07/2025 08:07

It would not be the done thing at secondary schools here and a child bringing in a gift would likely get teased unfortunately. An email through reception would be lovely though.

Gininvolved · 05/07/2025 08:07

I was hoping this might have been about me as I’m leaving this term but alas no 😆

I don’t want or need a gift but I always appreciate an email as lots of send parents dont or can’t.

sending it to the head directly would be amazing as it would get forwarded onto me eventually as I wouldn’t dream of sending the positive emails I get from my key worker Childrens parents to the head. (Tends to be the problem ones that she sees !)

Rocknrollstar · 05/07/2025 08:07

A card with a personal message, especially if DS could write something or draw a picture. Maybe a voucher. That’s all staff in schools want. NOT flowers, wine or toiletries. And not china ornaments of Cinderella in her coach (I was given this once).

FinallyHere · 05/07/2025 08:38

Another vote for an appreciative email with head copied plus a handwritten thanks from the child. Especially for the form tutor who will stay with them for a few years., they will be able to see the change in what they can draw / write / sat over the years and know they have contributed to the development.

Backtothe90ties · 05/07/2025 09:01

simsbustinoutmimi · 05/07/2025 03:22

Nobody in secondary school buys gifts for the teachers. It’s quite a primary-school thing and pupils tend to be teased handing in a gift for them. I’m sorry, I wouldn’t do this.

That’s not true at all!

RaspberryJungle · 05/07/2025 09:13

My best ever gift was a long email to my head and manager (SENCO), explaining the difference I had made to their child. They used specific, quantifiable examples and explained the effects they'd seen and extolled the bond I'd built with their child.

It was lovely. Both to know the difference they'd seen and be reminded of where we'd started and were now. It also made my manager very happy and caused a significant uplift in my autonomy and trust in whatever new ideas I'd had.

They're long in a different part of the country, but I still have that email pinned to the top of my inbox and I read it on really tough days. This was one of the most challenging students I've ever had and the reminder of what we achieved together always gives me a boost when the job gets tough.

nzeire · 05/07/2025 09:18

I vote NO for a mug :)

im the office lady in a school. I like cats. I have been given so many fecking cat novelty mugs over the years! JUST NO THANKYOU, hate waste, hate landfill, hate rubbish

get her a voucher for local cafe

Smoothwater · 05/07/2025 09:21

RaspberryJungle · 05/07/2025 09:13

My best ever gift was a long email to my head and manager (SENCO), explaining the difference I had made to their child. They used specific, quantifiable examples and explained the effects they'd seen and extolled the bond I'd built with their child.

It was lovely. Both to know the difference they'd seen and be reminded of where we'd started and were now. It also made my manager very happy and caused a significant uplift in my autonomy and trust in whatever new ideas I'd had.

They're long in a different part of the country, but I still have that email pinned to the top of my inbox and I read it on really tough days. This was one of the most challenging students I've ever had and the reminder of what we achieved together always gives me a boost when the job gets tough.

This made me a bit weepy! How lovely. I always send emails to teachers I think are very special now because I know (mostly from mumsnet) what a huge difference it makes.

Original poster
elliejjtiny · 05/07/2025 12:29

Thank you. At Christmas the staff got presents (and so did the therapy dog!) from the students so i think it's a thing here but I'll check with my older son who is in year 9. Good idea about a card written by DS to the form tutor, I'll definitely do that. I won't get a mug. Voucher is a good shout. Ds knows her really well so i will ask him if she likes anything particular, like costa etc

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 05/07/2025 21:05

simsbustinoutmimi · 05/07/2025 03:22

Nobody in secondary school buys gifts for the teachers. It’s quite a primary-school thing and pupils tend to be teased handing in a gift for them. I’m sorry, I wouldn’t do this.

That's absolute nonsense!

@elliejjtiny do copy in the senco and the head to any email.

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