That's all for now
We will be signing off now, but thanks for joining us. Hopefully everyone can now go forth and enjoy their weekends in the sun!
Updated
Highlights from today's Guardian Social
Here are a few of your comments that have provoked the most recommends and replies below so far – do click on the timestamps to get involved in the discussion.
Term-time school holidays
We’ve posted a few of your views as part of the debate on term time holidays already, from different sides and with different perspectives, but here are another couple that got you talking:
‘The real culprits here are the holiday companies’
‘It just takes a bit of lateral thinking [from parents]’
So this dad decides to fight a £60 fine for taking his daughter out of school and is now currently down £12,000 and intends to fight on. Could he not have taken this to his MP or start an online petition to force a debate about this?
There were years when I couldn't take holidays when my children were on school holidays because it was too busy at work. My children had a great time attending various clubs, going away with the scouts or the guides with their friends, they didn't miss a family holiday at all. On the weekend we went to museums, cinema and the zoo, we often went away on a Friday night and came back on Sunday evening.
It meant they didn't miss out on their education, it just takes a bit of lateral thinking instead of expecting everything and everyone in life to fit in with you and your needs. It sounds a bit like someone may have got their own way a bit too much as a child.
And here’s an update on our poll – which is still open
Later, the discussion turned to pizza toppings ...
Tinned spaghetti on or off pizza just isn't nice - I'm not overly convinced it's even spaghetti..
However I know plenty of people who would serve it up in toast - which isn't much different from a pizza base really.
I think the New Zealand prime minister is under the mistaken impression that more Italian you make your meal, the more sophisticated you look. I'll wager he eats his spaghetti pizza while gunning his Lambretta along a cobbled street
But there’s plenty else to get your teeth into ...
... including Frances Ryan on benefit cuts, a piece on Barry Manilow coming out, and a semi-autonomous android who is looking forward to taking Guardian readers’ questions.
We’ll wrap up soon, but you can continue the conversation in the comments.
Updated
A week defined by grim benefit cuts
This week has been defined by the Conservative’s latest wave of benefit cuts coming into force.
From removing support from disabled people too ill to work, to young people at risk of homelessness, these are particularly grubby measures. Guardian analysis found that the child tax credit cut alone will push a quarter of a million children into poverty.
As Toby Helm pointed out, factor in tax changes, too, and the richest people in the country are set to reap 80% of the rewards, as the poorest become poorer still.
What do our readers think about these cuts?
Barry Manilow shows just how far the gay rights movement has come
This week Barry Manilow came out as gay – the first time he has spoken openly about his sexuality. The music veteran, whose hits include Copacabana and Mandy, also confirmed that he has been in a relationship for 39 years.
Given the fact that his marriage to his manager, Garry Kief, has been an open secret for the last two years, my article did not come as much of a surprise. In fact, many readers questioned why it was even news – and made jokes along the lines of “Is the Pope catholic?” However, for me (and many readers who commented below the line), it was important because it shows just how far the gay rights movement has come.
Back when Manilow’s star was rising in the 1970s, it could have been career suicide to come out. Like many of his generation, he went to great lengths to hide his sexuality, even going as far as living with a woman he was rumoured to be dating.
So should we have covered Manilow’s news? And does it even matter when his sexuality has been known for a while?
Back to term-time holidays and time off, a couple of you have been talking about related implications for contact with family – both at home and overseas.
This reader had time off to see his visiting father in term time:
My parents divorced when I was 5 and my mother moved to a different country. I didn't see my Dad for several years which was enormous distressing to me. He finally came for a visit: during term time. I was allowed to go out of school for a couple of weeks to go on a small trip with him. I fail to see how missing a couple of weeks worth of learning that 1+1=2 did me any lasting harm. I still graduated high school with As and have a degree in political science. The damage to my mental health if I had not been able to spend time with my father would have been far greater.
There is more to life than academics.
And here’s a point about the very reason for needing to travel – not necessarily primarily for a leisure-focussed holiday.
My brother and sister in law live in America (Miami). If I can get a considerably cheaper ticket outside of school holidays (and at times in the year when the climate in South Florida is bearable for a northern European), then I will take my children out of school.
School is important, but so is family and having a range of experiences. After all, there is not a one-way relationship between schools and educational outcomes; the blend of family, community, support, home life are all part of the mix. So are the broader experiences that families can offer to children that schools can't offer.
I personally think that time spent in the US and on the Keys, seeing Kenndey Space Station etc will be more than educational and I am pretty sure that my kids will catch up on some educational jumping hoop.
Would you put tinned spaghetti on pizza?
The New Zealand prime minister got everyone talking this week when he made pizza topped with tinned spaghetti and pineapple. The addition of the latter is already steeped in controversy, but tinned spaghetti is even more outlandish (and unheard of). The Guardian tested the creation and you can check out the verdict below.
What do you think?
Updated
Here’s a bit of data from our colleagues relevant to the earlier (and ongoing) debate about term time holidays
Ask and android – have you got a question for Erica?
Hiroshi Ishiguro and his colleague Dylan Glas, the creators of Erica, a semi-autonomous android and the subject of the latest Guardian documentary, believe she has a soul and can help teach us about the future – and what it means to be human. She believes she’s a child of humanity and hopes to one day move her arms and legs.
We’re asking readers who’ve seen the film to get involved – by sharing the questions they have for “her” before they are passed on and answered. If you’re interested in finding out more or have a question, you can do so at the following link:
Easter? For one company, it's all about the chocolate
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!
What do you think of Selfridge's new potato peeling workshops?
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 …
How long do you wait for a GP appointment?
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?
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.
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.
Be sure to also check out our excellent county cricket live blog for all the latest.
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:
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).
... 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.
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.
... 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.
... 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.
Our photos of the week
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.
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?
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.
(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.
Updated
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.
Updated
Here are some of your views so far – do get involved in the comments below.
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?
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.
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?
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.
Should parents be allowed to take their children on holiday during term time?
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 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.
Welcome to our weekly social
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
To take your child out of school for a week or a fortnight to visit Disneyland or to lie on a Mediterranean beach harms your child's education. It also harms the education of the other children in the class who have to wait or mark time while the teacher deals with the child who has now returned to school. The teacher has also spent a lot of time preparing lesson plans, worksheets, equipment etc and now has to do it all again for one individual while the rest of the class are slowed down. This shows disrespect to the teacher and school who have been working hard to provide your child with an education. It is hard enough teaching one lesson at a time - never mind two concurrently. This behaviour is both antisocial and selfish! Have some consideration for other people - both children and their teachers. What would happen to you if you took time off work to take a holiday outside of your company entitlement? Taking pupils out of school, by the school, is not the same as a parent taking a child away on holiday. School trips are either educational or designed to foster social and interpersonal skills. The real culprits here are the holiday companies but I have yet to hear any comments on their behaviour.