A tweet alleging that some schools are spending money on “care packages” and “pizza-making kits” for teachers sparked a fierce debate among teachers, heads and school business managers on Twitter today.
Arguing that such extravagant expenses would give the wrong impression to the public, a chief operating officer of a primary multi-academy trust wrote: “At the risk of being controversial, I feel compelled to say something about the way some schools are spending money - care packages sent to staff working at home, pizza-making kits to enhance wellbeing, etc?
“Certainly not sending the public a positive message about lack of funding.”
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She added: “However, I do know the school leaders are trying to be supportive to staff and have good intentions. I wonder what audit inspections will make of the use of funds in this way. I think be very wary, a supportive phone call may be more appropriate and, in fact, more useful?!”
At the risk of being controversial I feel compelled to say something about the way some schools are spending money - care packages sent to staff working at home, pizza making kits to enhance wellbeing etc? Certainly not sending the public a positive message about lack of funding
- Nicky ? (@NickyGNickster) February 18, 2021
As she anticipated, the tweet did indeed prove controversial.
The reactions were a mix of sheer incredulity with some attempts at a debate on how schools should use funds and support their staff wellbeing.
And while some pointed out that Twitter may not be the best place to debate such topics, the majority of comments in the thread seemed to point to the fact that this may be a very isolated case - and that treats usually come out of headteachers’ and other staff members’ pockets.
Here is a selection of the over 90 (and counting) responses.
Teachers pay for stuff all the time
A few users reminded EduTwitter of how teachers sometimes pay for teaching equipment out of their own pocket.
Many teachers use their own gadgets to deliver lockdown learning from their own homes. Far more over comes out of my pocket to the school than the other way round. I agree if it’s OTT then stop but the odd treat for staff morale...
- sara h ?? (@lifeatthenest) February 19, 2021
I paid for things for my EYFS team from my bank account. I also buy tonnes of resources as my class budget just about covers the basics. I’m not earning a fortune but nobody goes into education for the pay! Can’t be many schools paying for treats from the budget I’m sure.
- Lydii ? (@nurtureprincess) February 19, 2021
And staff need to sometimes be creative in their wellbeing resolutions.
Our school’s well-being vending machine restocked by staff donations. I also spend my own money on gifts. Spend always needs to be justified but every penny you spend on the well being of staff is worth it. A lot cheaper than ‘cover’ costs because they are burnt out! pic.twitter.com/8rrvxQBZMK
- Rambling HT (@Jay7Ramblings) February 19, 2021
It’s the heads’ and leaders’ shout
Many comments pointed out that treats for staff usually come out of heads’, leaders’ and even teachers’ pockets. One Twitter user said that ever since she stopped working in a school, she has “saved a fortune”.
Unfortunately school staff buy a lot out of their own pockets for team members and for the kids because they know budgets are stretched. We end up not claiming the money back because of it. I dread to think how much I have spent on treats & resources over the years ?
- Dulcinea (Magical Mess of the EYFS) (@DulcineaEYFS) February 19, 2021
Oh I know. Since I’ve stopped working in a school I’ve saved a fortune. Although I have been known to turn up with a tin of biscuits or quality street on a visit, so it probably balances out!
- Ruth Swailes #FFF (@SwailesRuth) February 19, 2021
‘Not enough dough’
Along the same line, several respondents pointed out that it’s rare for schools to have the budget for extra treats.
I think the reason you have hit a nerve here is your broad sweeping statement that all these things come out of school funds. In my experience it’s the leaders that pay for these - and staff that often buy stuff for the children. Our budgets just don’t stretch enough for that!
- Kate Cracknell ? (@katecracknell) February 19, 2021
#notinmyschool Govs would have apoplexy! Definitely not right unless you are a private schools and not subject to public money accountability
- #PRU_SBM (@CBWessex75) February 19, 2021
How about teacher wellbeing?
Some commentators pointed out that spending some money on teachers’ wellbeing is not a bad move - and it wouldn’t be frowned upon in other sectors.
As a HT, anything I do for staff I pay for myself. I’m sure many other HT do too. But even if they don’t...people are the most valuable resource in a school. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind us paying for the photocopier to be serviced so it didn’t fail from over use. Same with staff?
- Helen Frampton (@lennyf_30) February 19, 2021
I’d imagine that there are a fair few HT’s who actually pay for it out of their own pocket as well. I’d also think that within CPD budgets, a lot would not necessarily have been spent on development, so using that money for wellbeing is a very good move.
- Elaine Hayes MCCT #MIEExpert ☘ (@e_hayes12) February 19, 2021
1) So should we forget about staff well-being and mental health then? Since when should it be justified on what a school decides to spend money on. I’m sure other businesses do the same and people don’t batter an eyelid.
- Mr N? (@MrN_Primary) February 19, 2021
Would pizza really be the answer?
While pizza ranks high on many people’s list of favourite treats, it may not be the answer to teachers’ wellbeing, some respondents said. Nor are marshmallows, according to one respondent. How about having a look at workload instead?
Care packages are something I find irrationally annoying. Leaders who send marshmallows whilst not dealing with workload are not caring, they are virtue signaling
- Matthew Clements-Wheeler (@MidlandsSBM) February 19, 2021
