Real-life MMD: Should I pay fixed contribution for teacher's gift?

elsiemary

Is it just one teacher, if so, what about the rest of the teachers? I do not agree with this anyway. £25 per pupil!!!?? Teachers are public servants and paid well to teach and should be happy to do so without expecting handouts from hard pressed parents! For the teacher to happily suggest John Lewis vouchers and not agree to a charity donation shows the teacher is a happy participant to the scheme and has an eye on what to buy. I would suggest printing off these replies, show it to your son and give the school head teacher a copy. If your son is still anxious and wishes to donate, then a simple £5 note in a discreet envelope to the headmaster should suffice.

pollypenny

I find this hard to believe. In 30 years of teaching I'd never heard of anyone being asked for any amount for a teacher.

Most of us had small presents of wine, chocolates or smellies from kids in our tutor groups, for whom we had also bought sweets.

At the end of Y11, most of us bought them a little present, such such a framed picture of the group and again something at the end of Y13. One lovely lot bought me crystal brandy glasses, organising their own collection.

The important thing is that no gift that is 'demanded' is worth a sot!

MrsE_2

tizzzzy wrote: »

I wonder if the local press are aware of this?

Just what I was thinking.
OP please name this money grabbing school.

alittlemadam

thats absolutely disgusting, £25 per child for a class of 30 is like someone has already said £750, what teacher deserves to have that much spent on them.

What I then find disgusting from this comment is that the teacher then states that she would prefer John Lewis Vouchers, well wouldnt we all.

The school my child goes to each parent buy there own gift to give to the teacher and you spend what you can afford.

I would complain to the school that in the current state of affairs that this cost is reduced or state that you will buy you own personal gift. If it was reduced to £10 per child it still equates to £300 or £150 per teacher which in my opinion is still too much money.

What happens if the parents cant afford this so called stated donation. When I was growing up a donation was something you felt you could afford not what you were told you had to donate.

I would report the school and teacher to the taxman and the board of govenors, council and even the local paper.

tennisowl77

As an retired teacher, I think it awful that a school does something like this, apart from anything else, it's emotional blackmail of the worst kind! I was always very grateful for any gifts, the handmade ones from the children were the ones I cherished the most. £25 is a lot of money. I'd personally take it up with the school.

alittlemadam

think Im going to change my profession and apply for a job at this school, which school did you say it was again:rotfl::laugh:

this post really has made me so :mad:

katyboo123

In my opinion, I would just pay it. I have been finished school for over 15 years, yet I still remember how uncomfortable it felt not fitting in. As an adult I love to be different, but I didn't enjoy getting bullied for not fitting in at school. I think that in this case, if the child is that worried about not fitting in that he'd pay his own pocket money in to the contribution, then I would just pay it.

I agree, it's extortionate and not on, but I think my child's happiness would always come first.

I also agree, that I would approach the school PTA, governors, staff, etc and try to campaign for a more appropriate whip round (or, handmade gifts off the children for instance).

When I was at school we didn't give presents to the teachers, we'd just make them a little present (usually in class!). How times have changed!

meeshpeesh

That is an obscene amount!

My mum is a teacher and most of her pupils get her a bottle wine or chocolates or candles at the end of the year, nothing exceeding a fiver. Occassionally she'll get gifts at Easter and Christmas too, but she nor the school would ever demand a contribution let alone one for that amount!
It's not fair at all that they're making your son feel like you have to pay this amount, kids are extra sensitive to those sorts of things.

Write to the school, maybe rally together with some of the other parents or just get a cheap bottle of wine/box of chocs. Any self respecting person would be happy with that.

pippinpuss

I have had 3 children go through the system & never once did I give a 'gift' at the end of the year. The children may have drawn a card, which was appreciated.

As I Governor at their school for 6 years it certainly wasn't encouraged for a cash/voucher gift to be given. I know some children gave mugs or smellies but charity shops were often full of these gifts in the summer hols.

Edited to add:- if I had to pay for each child that would be £75 per year!!

lemonpippin

Oh no! Don't pay! I have one child at a private school and one at a state school. There was no such collection at the private school and I made a gift and card as I always have and always will. A parent organised a collection at the state school (£5 donation towards teacher's gift but nothing for teaching assistant!) I declined and made a gift for each and I know others also declined. Some were appalled at being asked for a fiver! (although as the teacher in question can't spell Shakespeare and confidently told the class you could fly to Australia in 8 hours you can maybe see why!!):rotfl: