It's hit me. I need out.

[fuckityfuckityfuckfuck]

Only 1 child said goodbye to me.

Year 6. I've worked miracles getting the through SATs. Surpassed loads of their targets. Fun trips. Production. And the last 2 weeks of just having fun at school. I've written heartfelt messages to each and everyone of them. Found something special about every single one of them to give individual awards. Given them my all. No thank yous. Not even a thank you for their gift! No appreciation whatsoever. 1 thank you email from a parent. And only one goodbye from a child.

New career job hunting starts tonight!

Hi

I'm sorry that this has happened. You sound an amazing teacher, who cares about their pupils and their futures.

I would hope you don't leave the profession as we need teachers like you.

I understand that it is nice to feel appreciated.

I'd like to think that the kids do appreciate you and the hard work.

Thank you from me though. 💐

Thank you. I know I'm a good teacher. I've got results to prove it and parents contacting me years later for advice because they still trust me.

It's got less and less each year but this year has just been abhorrent. I can shrug off the lack of appreciation from SLT but I have never felt this from pupils/parents. I really don't think I can do this anymore. My mental health cannot cope with the utter disregard.

Obviously your mental well being comes 1st.

I hope you have a lovely summer. All the best from me, either when looking for a new job or going back fully recharged.

I made mine bookmarks with all the covers of books we've read this year. All with school resources apart from a little tassle thing (£2 for 100 from Amazon). I stopped buying them things with my own money 3 years ago when I had things snatched, ripped open and no thank you. This year's class all said thanks apart from 3.

Me and my LSA have had to HAMMER politeness all year for that. Although even a year of ignoring statements like "I need a pencil" or "I'm thirsty" hasn't made them actually ask for most things with a please though.

(Oh - I'm leaving this year - handed my notice in last October - taking September off).

As others have said, I am so sorry this has happened. I absolutely agree with you - I felt the same when my year 9 class barged out of the classroom, utterly ignoring me stood at the door smiling and saying “have a lovely summer” etc. I create small games for them to break up the heavier work, I’ve made them quizzes and bought little prizes out of my own money, organised an escape room activity for one of our last lessons, etc etc. And they can’t even be bothered to say thanks and/or goodbye.

So sorry your Year6s treated you like that. I'm secondary supply so I sort of price in ingratitude. My Year 9s last lesson did annoy me, however...

I must admit, though, I feel adults in the system can be worse. ( Current school adults pretty decent, though)

And good luck with your new career hunt...

I think children in general are rude and ungrateful. Our y6 left the handwritten notes given to them on their desks, stashed their gifts of a keepsake book on the classroom shelves rather than taking them home, and spent their last day self-absorbed in their dramatic emotional displays.

Sadly some adults don't know how to say thank you either!

Argh, know how that feels! I had two home alones just sneak off at hometime rather than deign to say goodbye to me . I gave up buying presents because previous years were so ungrateful - instead, I show them some embarrassing photos of me when I was their age, which they seemed to enjoy more.

I'm stepping up into senior leadership this year and one of our focus points is going to be around instilling basic manners and courtesy. Wish us luck...

Change schools not profession.

One of my younger relatives left a teaching career because of the stresses and has never looked back or regretted moving into a different kind of career. No doubt people will tell you that you are 'needed' but that's flannel to keep you working in unacceptable conditions.

Yes, we left personal notes we left for them before their performance and found some ripped, several on the floor just left, at least a third just really didn't care. I rescued 3 keepsake books on the last day and chased them down to make sure they got them. They just did not care.

Very true!

I have. I worked in a lovely school for 10 years but no one ever left so there was no where to go progression wise. Next school was a horrible, toxic school with bullying SLT so moved here. Staff are lovely but it's a really tough area and children and parents are beyond disrespectful.

I would say, change schools. Find someplace where you are appreciated. All of mine said "thank you" for the end-of-year present I got them and they seemed to like them. (The got a glass with a lid and a straw, some ice pops to put in the freezer and some little sweets. Worked out at around £2 per child but was mostly funded by my class budget.) They all said goodbye before rushing off and I even got a few hugs.
I had a present from the parents and individual emails as well.
I'm at an independent school, though. I've spent enough time teaching at "tough" schools. Switched a few years ago and wouldn't go back.

I've taught everything from Y1-Y6. I was a bit shocked and sad when I taught Y6: they'd lost that joie de vivre and respect for adults that most have till Y5. They become eye-rolling, ungrateful, hormonal brats who have outgrown primary school and can't wait to get away. They are still lovely kids deep down, and I don't think you should take it personally. Maybe try teaching the younger kids for a while - they'll love you! Don't leave the entire profession just because of this - you sound wonderful.
I do also think that Y6 has become a bit ridiculous - it's months of fun and treats and very little work, they are spoilt rotten by the time the year ends!

When did the trend for teachers buying gifts for their pupils start? I'm in my 50s now and this wasn't a thing at all when I was at school. Some people did buy a gift for their teacher at the end of term ( I remember my mum buying mine a couple of pairs of American Tan tights 😂Not sure that was wise even then!)

I've noticed in my current primary school where I am support staff that the children get absolutely spoiled rotten! It's almost as if there's a subconscious competitive gift-giving amongst the teachers who spend hours making hand made gift bags and things. I bet the kids would be as happy with a little bag of haribos thrown at them on the last day. I just don't think many of them see the same value in hand made bookmarks with sentimental stuff on them that adults do. But I think perhaps that pressures from social media means that teachers feel they have to do these things.