11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi, hoping for some advice. My son is coming to the end of his first term at secondary and we have no idea whether it is the norm to give gifts to form tutor/any other teacher or whether we can happily leave this behind as a distant memory from primary? Any advice/suggestions much appreciated. Many thanks!

Doesn't seem necessary at the school DS1 and DD are at and at least when the former was there, not at the school DS2 is now at, either. DS2 is a prolific Christmas card writer, though, so may do cards.

I think my children would have been mortified if I had proposed sending in presents for the teachers at secondary school. I think you can safely let yourself off the hook.

I sometimes get a small gift when students leave or a group will get me something but it is certainly not expected.

Amber wrote:I think my children would have been mortified if I had proposed sending in presents for the teachers at secondary school. I think you can safely let yourself off the hook.

Phew! Though I feel sorry for thorntons, it's going to effect their 3 for 2 profit margins!!

I didn't even bother at primary school. DD does write her form tutor a card though.

A tin of biscuits for the staff room always goes down well if you want to give

I don't think form tutors expect presents at all but my DD loves her tutor so much she chose to make something for her. I had nothing to do with it, so I guess that's the difference at secondary - up to the children, not us.

I'm sure the teachers would all appreciate the staffroom biscuit tin idea though. I know that goes down well at our primary and it evens out the distribution of gifts - class teachers get loads and the more back-room staff and part-time teachers, who also work hard, don't!

Think teachers do a great job, I really do, but so do I and many of my other working friends and none of us get gifts! My husband is a nurse and occasionally they get a box of chocs to share, which is lovely, but not expected

Guest55 wrote:A tin of biscuits for the staff room always goes down well if you want to give

I've done this in the past, but dropped it into the office when I was passing. Saving embarrassment for one teenager!