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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/live/2017/apr/07/do-you-agree-with-the-term-time-holiday-ban-join-our-live-look-at-the-week
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| Do you agree with the term-time holiday ban? Join our live look at the week | Do you agree with the term-time holiday ban? Join our live look at the week |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.30pm BST | |
| 14:30 | |
| Easter? For one company, it's all about the chocolate | |
| Matthew Holmes | |
| I’ve been away and avoiding the news this week, but apparently missed something of a furore around the use of the word Easter in some events or other ... | |
| I’m not sure many of the target audience (kids, surely?) for these events would notice anyway, but there you go. | |
| In more seasonal chocolate snack news, the Guardian has published this really interesting photo essay which describes – and shows us – how one of the most popular snacks at one particular high street retailer this time of year are made. | |
| Enjoy! | |
| 2.13pm BST | |
| 14:13 | |
| What do you think of Selfridge's new potato peeling workshops? | |
| Rebecca Smithers | |
| Bored by Brexit? Fed up with the daily grind and stresses and strains of modern life? Upmarket retailer Selfridges is hosting potato-peeling workshops as part of a new project designed to help consumers get back to basics and reconnect with everyday activities like, er, vegetable preparation. As well as the supervised peel-in, people can learn how to brew fresh leaf tea, grind spices by hand and understand the “journey” of sourdough bread-making. I attended the first potato-peeling workshop yesterday and found that what the participants most enjoyed was a chance to chat and unwind around the “kitchen” table. Handing their mobile phones in was an unexpected boon and a chance for a digital detox. | |
| Elsewhere, consumers with a little more time on their hands will be able to help make a rag rug on a traditional wooden loom, or brush up on their sewing skills – and if this all becomes a little too much, there’s even a manger-like straw area where you can lie down and have a nap. Meanwhile, in its retail temple on the next floor up – the new, marble-floored accessories hall – Selfridges is selling swanky handbags for the price of a small car. Is this all a sad reflection of modern-day society? Would you want to attend a potato-peeling workshop? Is this a well-intentioned move by Selfridges or just an opportunity to flog more stuff? We would love to hear your views … | |
| 1.44pm BST | 1.44pm BST |
| 13:44 | 13:44 |
| How long do you wait for a GP appointment? | How long do you wait for a GP appointment? |
| Sarah Marsh | Sarah Marsh |
| I wrote a story this week on news that a record number of GP practices closed last year, despite government attempts to boost the service. Just under 100 surgeries shut their doors, meaning tens of thousands had to go to another practice. This comes despite the fact that last year the government invested £500m to help GPs, with £16m for vulnerable local surgeries at risk of closure. | I wrote a story this week on news that a record number of GP practices closed last year, despite government attempts to boost the service. Just under 100 surgeries shut their doors, meaning tens of thousands had to go to another practice. This comes despite the fact that last year the government invested £500m to help GPs, with £16m for vulnerable local surgeries at risk of closure. |
| Have you noticed local cuts? What do you think of the pressure on GPs? Do you struggle to get an appointment? What can be done to ease demand? | Have you noticed local cuts? What do you think of the pressure on GPs? Do you struggle to get an appointment? What can be done to ease demand? |
| 1.43pm BST | 1.43pm BST |
| 13:43 | 13:43 |
| As mentioned, we’ll move the conversation along shortly – but do feel free to let us know anything you’d particularly like to discuss or to see us highlight here. | As mentioned, we’ll move the conversation along shortly – but do feel free to let us know anything you’d particularly like to discuss or to see us highlight here. |
| 1.24pm BST | 1.24pm BST |
| 13:24 | 13:24 |
| Any cricket fans knocking about? | Any cricket fans knocking about? |
| Here’s a piece you may enjoy if you’re a cricket fan – 18 readers on the hopes and expectations they have for their county during the new season, which begins today. | Here’s a piece you may enjoy if you’re a cricket fan – 18 readers on the hopes and expectations they have for their county during the new season, which begins today. |
| Be sure to also check out our excellent county cricket live blog for all the latest. | Be sure to also check out our excellent county cricket live blog for all the latest. |
| 1.07pm BST | 1.07pm BST |
| 13:07 | 13:07 |
| Just a last couple of your thoughts on term time holidays before we move on (above the line, at least) to talking about some other topics of the week. | Just a last couple of your thoughts on term time holidays before we move on (above the line, at least) to talking about some other topics of the week. |
| Here are some interesting points on attendance from a school governor: | Here are some interesting points on attendance from a school governor: |
| As a relatively new school govenor I have been surprised by the level of attention paid to attendence and the amount of staff time and budget outlay is devoted to improving attendence. It is an important component of any ofsted inspection and therefore an important criteria when the quality of a school is assessed. Taking children out of school for holidays can seriously impact the figures of a school as the 'acceptable' level of attendence is so high. | As a relatively new school govenor I have been surprised by the level of attention paid to attendence and the amount of staff time and budget outlay is devoted to improving attendence. It is an important component of any ofsted inspection and therefore an important criteria when the quality of a school is assessed. Taking children out of school for holidays can seriously impact the figures of a school as the 'acceptable' level of attendence is so high. |
| The importance of attendence as a school performance measure has not been widely discussed in this debate but it is a relevant and important driver in schools wanting to prevent parents taking their children out of school during term time. It is not just about student performance but also about the perception of school and 'success' of the school as a whole (in ofsted's eyes anyway). | The importance of attendence as a school performance measure has not been widely discussed in this debate but it is a relevant and important driver in schools wanting to prevent parents taking their children out of school during term time. It is not just about student performance but also about the perception of school and 'success' of the school as a whole (in ofsted's eyes anyway). |
| ... a parent: | ... a parent: |
| As a parent, I will never knowingly harm the prospect of my child's future and will always do what I believe is in the best interest of my child. I think that is the very basic premise of parenting that more than 99% of parents would adhere to. | As a parent, I will never knowingly harm the prospect of my child's future and will always do what I believe is in the best interest of my child. I think that is the very basic premise of parenting that more than 99% of parents would adhere to. |
| While the argument of taking leisure holidays during term breaks does make sense, all life events do not happen during term time. For example, I took my daughter to attend wedding of my brother in India. She missed five days of school, but the experience of being with the family was far more precious for a six year old. | While the argument of taking leisure holidays during term breaks does make sense, all life events do not happen during term time. For example, I took my daughter to attend wedding of my brother in India. She missed five days of school, but the experience of being with the family was far more precious for a six year old. |
| Schools take a blind view of the law and this decision will further encourage them to do so. There are no such punitive rules in the Eastern world, and the Education standards and accomplishments are much higher than the UK. | Schools take a blind view of the law and this decision will further encourage them to do so. There are no such punitive rules in the Eastern world, and the Education standards and accomplishments are much higher than the UK. |
| ... a teacher: | ... a teacher: |
| I'm teaching GCSEs now, and we've essentially been forced to cancel a week of lessons during the next term in order to provide catchup sessions for the coursework for those that missed it (and the half-term and Easter catchup sessions) during the year. The alternative is simply to say to those students that are behind "sorry, you have already failed because your coursework is not complete, don't bother coming for the rest of the year. Enjoy a nice morning in the sun rather than sit the exam". My department has made the decision that these students should be given time to catch up and it's going to happen during the upcoming term during class time. The week chosen is one of the weeks that was scheduled for exam preparation. I believe it is unfair on the students who have been here all year and kept up to date with their work that they are not going to get it, but as a teacher I have little say. | I'm teaching GCSEs now, and we've essentially been forced to cancel a week of lessons during the next term in order to provide catchup sessions for the coursework for those that missed it (and the half-term and Easter catchup sessions) during the year. The alternative is simply to say to those students that are behind "sorry, you have already failed because your coursework is not complete, don't bother coming for the rest of the year. Enjoy a nice morning in the sun rather than sit the exam". My department has made the decision that these students should be given time to catch up and it's going to happen during the upcoming term during class time. The week chosen is one of the weeks that was scheduled for exam preparation. I believe it is unfair on the students who have been here all year and kept up to date with their work that they are not going to get it, but as a teacher I have little say. |
| ... and a (former) pupil: | ... and a (former) pupil: |
| My parents kept me off school to go on holiday once and I hated it. At least the coming back bit. I felt out-of-touch and disoriented, not knowing what was going on, and it seemed that everyone had moved on. It only lasted a few days but it was shit while it lasted. | My parents kept me off school to go on holiday once and I hated it. At least the coming back bit. I felt out-of-touch and disoriented, not knowing what was going on, and it seemed that everyone had moved on. It only lasted a few days but it was shit while it lasted. |
| 12.57pm BST | 12.57pm BST |
| 12:57 | 12:57 |
| Our photos of the week | Our photos of the week |
| Joanna Ruck | Joanna Ruck |
| This week we saw devastating images from the toxic gas attack in Syria of injured and dying children. | This week we saw devastating images from the toxic gas attack in Syria of injured and dying children. |
| The famine in east Africa continues as the drought there threatens the lives of many. | The famine in east Africa continues as the drought there threatens the lives of many. |
| This week has also seen cherry blossom in full bloom across the world, with particularly beautiful photographs from China and Japan. And why shouldn’t your cat get to see the spectacle? | This week has also seen cherry blossom in full bloom across the world, with particularly beautiful photographs from China and Japan. And why shouldn’t your cat get to see the spectacle? |
| 12.46pm BST | 12.46pm BST |
| 12:46 | 12:46 |
| Here’s a specific point in response to the poll – do share yours below. | Here’s a specific point in response to the poll – do share yours below. |
| Also, just a quick comment on the poll - I disagree with both questions, tbh. It ought to be at the headteacher's discretion as it used to be. If the school are ok with it then it shouldn't be anyone else's business. | Also, just a quick comment on the poll - I disagree with both questions, tbh. It ought to be at the headteacher's discretion as it used to be. If the school are ok with it then it shouldn't be anyone else's business. |
| (And here’s the reader’s example of that idea of headteachers exercising some discretion.) | (And here’s the reader’s example of that idea of headteachers exercising some discretion.) |
| I've taken my children out of school for two or three days every year for the last three years - we go to London and go to museums etc - and have every intention of continuing to do so. The school head has a very sensible policy of ignoring short absences provided attendance and attainment are otherwise fine. | I've taken my children out of school for two or three days every year for the last three years - we go to London and go to museums etc - and have every intention of continuing to do so. The school head has a very sensible policy of ignoring short absences provided attendance and attainment are otherwise fine. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.47pm BST | at 12.47pm BST |
| 12.36pm BST | 12.36pm BST |
| 12:36 | 12:36 |
| Term-time holidays – a poll | Term-time holidays – a poll |
| Here’s a poll on the issue we’ve been discussing. It’s not binary – maybe you’re somewhere in the middle and feel there should be lenience for parents. Perhaps you agree that term-time holidays should be banned but disagree with the fine. We think this should give an impression of what some of you are thinking, but do tell us about which way you voted, and why, in the comments below. | Here’s a poll on the issue we’ve been discussing. It’s not binary – maybe you’re somewhere in the middle and feel there should be lenience for parents. Perhaps you agree that term-time holidays should be banned but disagree with the fine. We think this should give an impression of what some of you are thinking, but do tell us about which way you voted, and why, in the comments below. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.36pm BST | at 12.36pm BST |
| 12.23pm BST | 12.23pm BST |
| 12:23 | 12:23 |
| Here are some of your views so far – do get involved in the comments below. | Here are some of your views so far – do get involved in the comments below. |
| First, a point on where you go on holiday: | First, a point on where you go on holiday: |
| He took his daughter to Disney World, so the Supreme Court has a point, but what if she had pleaded to go on a 2-week trip to Greece to study the classical monuments with expert archaeologists and follow an intensive 4-hours a day course in Modern Greek that only took place during those dates? | He took his daughter to Disney World, so the Supreme Court has a point, but what if she had pleaded to go on a 2-week trip to Greece to study the classical monuments with expert archaeologists and follow an intensive 4-hours a day course in Modern Greek that only took place during those dates? |
| And this reader talks about extra effort needed on the part of the school to catch the child up. | And this reader talks about extra effort needed on the part of the school to catch the child up. |
| The problem with taking children out of school for two weeks in term time is not that each individual child misses out on crucial, life changing parts of their education in that time, but that schools have to put in additional effort to catch them up. | The problem with taking children out of school for two weeks in term time is not that each individual child misses out on crucial, life changing parts of their education in that time, but that schools have to put in additional effort to catch them up. |
| That's OK for one of two children, but a ridiculous amount of extra effort when it applies to hundreds of children. | That's OK for one of two children, but a ridiculous amount of extra effort when it applies to hundreds of children. |
| But aren’t there learning opportunities on a holiday, to? | But aren’t there learning opportunities on a holiday, to? |
| Holidays for most children are extremely memorable, senses are heightened, every day is approached with the enthusiasm a school could only dream of. I suspect the things learned on a two week holiday, no matter the location, would be equal too if not above those things learned in a two week period at school. The concept of education is far too narrow. Most people learn far more out of school than in. | Holidays for most children are extremely memorable, senses are heightened, every day is approached with the enthusiasm a school could only dream of. I suspect the things learned on a two week holiday, no matter the location, would be equal too if not above those things learned in a two week period at school. The concept of education is far too narrow. Most people learn far more out of school than in. |
| Share your views below. | Share your views below. |
| 12.07pm BST | 12.07pm BST |
| 12:07 | 12:07 |
| Should parents be allowed to take their children on holiday during term time? | Should parents be allowed to take their children on holiday during term time? |
| Sarah Marsh | Sarah Marsh |
| To take your children on holiday during term time, or not to take your children on holiday during term time? That is the question. Or at least it’s one that has got people talking of late, after the supreme court ruled in a case about the legality of term-time holidays. | To take your children on holiday during term time, or not to take your children on holiday during term time? That is the question. Or at least it’s one that has got people talking of late, after the supreme court ruled in a case about the legality of term-time holidays. |
| The case involved Jon Platt, who refused to pay a £120 fine after taking his daughter out of school to go on holiday. The high court ruled last year in favour of Platt, but this Thursday the supreme court came down against him. | The case involved Jon Platt, who refused to pay a £120 fine after taking his daughter out of school to go on holiday. The high court ruled last year in favour of Platt, but this Thursday the supreme court came down against him. |
| The ban and fine were upheld, with deputy president of the supreme court Lady Hale saying: “Any educational system expects people to keep the rules. Not to do so is unfair to those obedient parents who do keep the rules, whatever the costs or inconvenience to themselves.” | The ban and fine were upheld, with deputy president of the supreme court Lady Hale saying: “Any educational system expects people to keep the rules. Not to do so is unfair to those obedient parents who do keep the rules, whatever the costs or inconvenience to themselves.” |
| What do our readers think about this? We are keen to hear more of your views. | What do our readers think about this? We are keen to hear more of your views. |
| 12.04pm BST | 12.04pm BST |
| 12:04 | 12:04 |
| Welcome to our weekly social | Welcome to our weekly social |
| Sarah Marsh | Sarah Marsh |
| Hello everyone and welcome to our social, where we will talk about the best and most discussed news and comment of the week. Today we will take on everything from term-time holiday bans to potato-peeling workshops. If you have anything specific that you want to talk about, email us: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com and matthew.holmes@theguardian.com | Hello everyone and welcome to our social, where we will talk about the best and most discussed news and comment of the week. Today we will take on everything from term-time holiday bans to potato-peeling workshops. If you have anything specific that you want to talk about, email us: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com and matthew.holmes@theguardian.com |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.04pm BST | at 12.04pm BST |