Private school: Don’t spend over £50 on teacher’s Xmas present

A £16,000-a-year girls school has asked parents to limit spending on a teacher’s Christmas gift to £50.

There is also a ban on staff accepting vouchers worth over £100 from groups of pupils at the private St Helen and St Katharine school in Abingdon, Oxon.

A letter to parents said the move would “avoid placing staff in an awkward position”.

Ex-pupils at the school include Tory ex-Prime Minister David Cameron’s wife Samantha and Blue Peter host Lindsey Russell.

The cap comes amid reports gifts to teachers from wealthy parents at some schools include Mulberry handbags and dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants.

In stark contrast, many state schools have to beg for basics from parents.

In July the Mirror revealed a primary school in Prime Minister Theresa May’s constituency had asked parents to send toilet rolls. POSH St Helen & St Kath