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Secondary education

Are gift to teachers expected at Secondary?

13 replies

oopslateagain · 08/07/2010 12:07

My dd is just about to finish her first year at secondary, and this is going to sound daft but I have no idea if it's appropriate to send her in with a little gift for her form teacher?

When I was at school we wouldn't have dreamed of giving the teacher a present, but it seems to be the norm now. All through Primary we gave her teacher a little gift at the end of year (some parents did at the end of every term too but it seems like it would be a bit odd now, she has lots of different teachers.

Do Secondary children give gifts to form teachers? or to their favourite teachers? I've asked around but the only other mums I know have children the same age as my DD or younger and they're wanting to know this too!

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sarah293 · 08/07/2010 12:09

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mumblechum · 08/07/2010 12:10

I gave something to the Yr7 tutor both at Christmas and end of year as she'd been particularly helpful at settling ds in.

Didn't bother after that. I think it's v v unusual for them to give gifts in secondary.

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oopslateagain · 08/07/2010 12:17

Bloody hell, I just went through DD's planner and she has 16 different teachers plus her form tutor! We only got to see 9 at the parents evening, I didn't realise she had so many.

I am very, very happy that it looks like we won't have to buy gifts! I'd be broke.

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Adair · 08/07/2010 12:20

Nope. As said on another thread, occasionally I have been given a gift/card usually chosen by pupil because they have had a particularly lovely time in my class. But def not the norm. Sadly .

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roisin · 08/07/2010 16:09

IMO at secondary any gifts are rare,and usually from students rather than parents. I sometimes get presents from yr11 leavers as a thank you to the help and support I've given. But it is very much chosen by them, card from them, probably bought by them. And is not run-of-the-mill.

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WarrenPeace · 08/07/2010 16:10

i am a smarm ball and always buy something nice for the head of year/house
ie whoever sorts out the lost phone .sadness or whatever
i am a teacher and I KNOW it makes a difference

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kreecherlivesupstairs · 08/07/2010 17:45

Sadly no, DH is a teacher and he's had jack shit for the last 7 years. He was SMT in Thailand so I he didn't expect anything. When he taught in the UK it was at an independant school and some of the gifts he got were stunning. He's not fussed, but I am very avaricious.

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sandripples · 08/07/2010 17:47

I don't do gifts at secondary but I did e-mail the form teacher this year to thank her as its been a tough year and she was brill.

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usualsuspect · 08/07/2010 17:48

No

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MmeRedWhiteandBlueberry · 08/07/2010 17:49

It's not really normal to give secondary teachers presents each year, although some families do.

What is fairly standard in our school is for parents to send in something for all the staff in the weeks before the end of term, eg buscuits for the staff room or wine for our end of term dinner. Also, it is typical for leavers to give presents to their teachers.

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toffeecupcake · 08/07/2010 17:52

Even if i brought the gift myself for dd fav teacher theres no way she would give it to her in front of other students and would prob end up bringing it back home, so not worth spending money on one.

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EvilTwins · 08/07/2010 17:56

No. I'm a secondary teacher, and I really don't expect it. I have very rarely had a gift, and when I have, it has been from a parent whose child I have spent a particularly large amount of time helping. I did get gifts from some students when I left my first job, but I'm a drama teacher, and it was the kids who'd done drama club and the school play - extras, that is, rather than students in my tutor group.

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deaddei · 08/07/2010 21:31

I take flowers in for her form teacher and leave them at the desk.
She has been very supportive to dd and it's just a little something to let her know how much I appreciate it.

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