Skip to content

What teachers really want for an end of term gift

Gemma Dawson,in Scamptonand
David McKenna,East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
News imageGemma Dawson/BBC Teacher Shelley Grosse holding an ornament with the wording "Greatest Teacher". She is wearing a red summer dress and has tied back blonde hair. She has a number of tattoos on her left arm and a watch on her wrist.Gemma Dawson/BBC
Teacher Shelley Grosse says receiving a nice card is recognition enough

With the school summer holidays almost here, some pupils and their parents are considering buying an end-of-term gift for the class teacher. We asked staff at Scampton Church of England Primary School, near Lincoln, what they consider to be the perfect gift.

"I just think it is about the words in cards and the special hand-made gifts that mean a lot," school administrator Tracy Wickens said.

However, she added: "I did get a little bottle of gin last year, and it had a little crocheted top on it - which was really nice."

Teacher Shelley Grosse said it was very special when parents showed their appreciation with nice words in a card.

News imageGemma Dawson/BBC School administrator Tracy Wickens. She has a blonde bob with a fringe and is wearing glasses. She is standing in a classroom smiling at the camera.Gemma Dawson/BBC
School administrator Tracy Wickens says she appreciates receiving hand-made cards and gifts

"That's what brings a tear to your eye," she said.

"When you get messages, that's when you know you have done a good job," she added.

News imageGemma Dawson/BBC Headteacher Charlie Hebborn. He has short grey hair and is wearing a purple shirt. He is standing in a classroom holding a card set in a picture frame.Gemma Dawson/BBC
Headteacher Charlie Hebborn says it means a lot to receive a thank you from pupils and parents

Headteacher Charlie Hebborn said: "Firstly, there is never any expectation.

"It is an absolute privilege to spend up to seven years with the pupils.

"That in itself is enough of a gift, but there is most value I would say in words - parents and children taking the time to say thank you and to share some memories," he added.

News imageGemma Dawson/BBC Teaching assistant Lauren Brown. She is wearing a flowery dress and has tied back auburn hair. She is standing in a classroom and has a red staff lanyard around her neck.Gemma Dawson/BBC
Teaching assistant Lauren Brown says she kept a placemat, one of the first gifts she received from a pupil

Teaching assistant Lauren Brown said: "I was given a little placemat in my first year from a child who wrote on it 'you're my favourite teacher because you smell nice, dress nicely and give good cuddles'.

"For me, it was so personal, and it made me feel like I had done a good job.

"It was much better than a present and really showed they cared," she added.

News imageGemma Dawson/BBC Teacher Esther Skelland. She has tied back blonde hair and dark-rimmed glasses and is standing in a classroom. There are books on a shelf behind her.Gemma Dawson/BBC
Teacher Esther Skelland says she appreciates messages from pupils and parents

Teacher Esther Skelland said, while it was lovely to receive a gift, it was very special to get nice messages from pupils and their parents.

"It's lovely to hear that your hard work is recognised," she said.

Listen to highlights fromLincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch thelatest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices

More on this story