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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

What £ do gifts have to be declared?

32 replies

RaniyaFi · 06/03/2016 16:27

I want to get teacher something nice, without triggering paperwork etc - or awkwardness of her refusing it.

What £ do gifts have to be declared?
OP posts:
Original poster
RaniyaFi · 06/03/2016 16:55

Aw - help me out people!

Are you going to say that it's not about the the cost but about DC picking something really special and personal?

What £ do gifts have to be declared?
OP posts:
Original poster
RaniyaFi · 06/03/2016 17:29

Gratuitous pictures aside - this is a real question!

OP posts:
colander1 · 06/03/2016 17:34

I think we have to declare anything over 120 pounds (not that I have ever received anything even close!)

Much as I'd love the Ferrari (fingers crossed I teach one of your kids...) it really is the thought that counts. A letter (cc the head) about how wonderful I am, hand written card etc are the ones I treasure. If you must though, wine or John Lewis vouchers Wink

colander1 · 06/03/2016 17:35

By 'we' I meant in my school, not sure about anyone else...

fourcorneredcircle · 06/03/2016 17:39

No mugs. Please, Please no more mugs! The really personal things count - I once got a translated selection of Polish recipes from a girl I'd taught and had found a shared love of baking with. But, with the best will in the world that sort of thing just doesn't happen much. In that case, I second Colander's CC the head letter and a card :)

I'm unsure about wine, I'm not a big drinker and being as I'm secondary where parent sightings are few and far between there is something very, very, wrong about the idea of a child handing me a bottle!

Original poster
RaniyaFi · 06/03/2016 17:46

That's more than I expected!

I'm budgeting in the £20-£30 range and I didn't know if that would end up as more trouble than it's worth.

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Original poster
RaniyaFi · 06/03/2016 17:47

(.... Or was '120 pounds' a typo for £20...?)

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noblegiraffe · 06/03/2016 17:49

Email to the teacher copying in the head.

A gift to the teacher is nice, but knowing that the head has been told nice things about you would be better!

soapboxqueen · 06/03/2016 17:49

Different LEAs/schools have different thresholds of at all. You'd have to ask at your child's school.

Original poster
RaniyaFi · 06/03/2016 17:56

I complained about her last term - and I think me, her and the head have probably reached our limit with emails and meaningful chats.

I want to show appreciation that she sorted things without making bad atmosphere - and I think that has to be something fun and frivolous with a shiny bow.

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wonderpants · 06/03/2016 18:03

Lovely bunch of spring flowers and a thank you card that says what you said?
Preferably on a Friday afternoon so they can enjoy them over the weekend.

Original poster
RaniyaFi · 06/03/2016 18:46

So no chance to use my Ferrari staff discount - darn!

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colander1 · 06/03/2016 19:16

120 not 20, at my school. I usually get wine, chocs, smellies etc but it is the cards that I keep on my wall forever! I did get a lovely necklace one year. It was quite plain and simple, so easy to wear with anything and I really appreciated it.

lilyboleyn · 06/03/2016 19:58

To be fair, if you complained about her last term, no gift you can buy her will be appreciated as much as a hand written card with meaningful words inside.
I had a mother complain about me. My line manager told her she was wrong and I'd done nothing wrong. She bought me a gift to apologise but I'd rather she hadn't. Go with the card.

Original poster
RaniyaFi · 06/03/2016 20:27

She was wrong Grin .

But not maliciously so - it was just one of those things - and she was meticulous in making it right and making sure I saw that it was right.

It's an ongoing 'situation' with communications going back and forth - which is why I feel a card/letter would just get mixed into the general conversation.

I want something fun - and not emotionally fraught like the tone of much of our previous contacts.

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Musicaltheatremum · 06/03/2016 21:06

GPs are supposed to declare gifts over £5. 😕

lilyboleyn · 06/03/2016 21:21

£50 for us.

cheapandcheerful · 06/03/2016 21:36

Why do you have to 'declare' gifts over a certain value? And who are you declaring them too?

I once received a very generous gift from a pupil's grateful parents and it never occurred to me to declare it to anyone... Blush

lilyboleyn · 06/03/2016 21:51

In case someone else accuses us of favouring a child because of bribery. We keep a registry in school.

colander1 · 06/03/2016 22:49

Tax reasons I think also...

Louise43210 · 06/03/2016 23:09

There are some shopping bags that you can get made with teachers name and comic-y picture. Good for taking work to and fro. A bit cheesy but nice.

Original poster
RaniyaFi · 07/03/2016 13:02

I feel a bit awkward using her first name...

What £ do gifts have to be declared?
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stupidgreatgrinonmyface · 12/03/2016 19:28

At our school it's £50.00. We are an academy and that's the amount for all schools within the chain. I'm not sure about other chains/local authorities.

stupidgreatgrinonmyface · 12/03/2016 19:34

Also, it's difficult to say what would be most appreciated as that is down to personal taste. Although I like wine, I drink so rarely that it would be a complete waste of money. No one in the family drinks so I couldn't even pass it on. Personally, I like toiletries and use almost everything I am given. I have also had Amazon voucher that I used towards things for my hobby.

IoraRua · 13/03/2016 15:51

Cards with meaningful messages are best. Also wine is good Grin And I like the flowers and bags suggestions above.

The mugs/personalised decorations/ worlds best teacher signs etc get no use. Well the mugs tbf live in the staffroom, but the rest is pointless.