• Estimates suggest that between a third and half of primary schools - as many as 300,000 children - will not take primary school tests, due to start today across the UK. Some schools have planned 'creativity weeks', others will set last years' tests instead. The Lib Dems favour a move to internal teacher assessment; the other two parties plan to retain the exams. Mail
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• Analysis of the backgrounds of 600 of 650 members of the new House of Commons find it to be more socially exclusive in 2010 than in 2005. 90% were university educated, 30% had been to Oxbridge. 35% of MPs attended independent schools and 13 schools have educated 10% of all MPs. Times


• A leading headmaster has proposed that schools should set oral exams as well as written exams to prevent left-handed pupils from falling behind. His suggestion follows recent research showing that left-handed pupils do worse than right handed peers in exams at 11 and 14, and seem to have better verbal than written skills. Mail

• A poll by the Association of Graduate Recruiters finds that more than a third of 91 major graduate employers are planning to increase their hiring this year. Last year, there was a fall of 10% in graduate level vacancies; however only 29% of employers felt that applicants were working harder on the applications they submitted. Times


• The Russell Group, which represents leading universities, will today receive a protest letter from students at the universities it represents about its refusal to publish the advice it submitted to the official review of higher education fees. BBC


• Critics complain that many universities are letting students embark on degrees even when there is a high likelihood of them not completing the courses. Furthermore, universities have claimed £86million from the taxpayer for students who have dropped out of courses; London Metropolitan university has had to repay £36.5 million. Times


• A Comment is Free piece laments a future where an English degree will be banished to a fringe with philosophy and classics, as subjects without career prospects. Instead, it argues that awful adult literacy rates should be a source of national shame, remedied with part-time degrees taught within communities. Guardian

• Lone pregnant mothers were less likely to feel they got the pain relief they wanted while giving birth, be treated with dignity and respect, trust medical staff or choose where they gave birth than women with partners. They are less likely to see a health professional within 12 weeks of becoming pregnant, to have their 20-week scan, attend antenatal classes or have a postnatal check-up. Guardian


• Psychologists claim that at six months, babies may already be able to tell the difference between good and evil. By arguing that babies have a sense of morality, they counter the views of many psychologists and social scientists that morality is learnt socially and not innate. Mail
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• The Food Standards Agency is to consult on whether 'fat taxes' on junk food and sugary drinks would help make people eat healthier food. If taxes were imposed, they would be follow the same principle as taxes on tobacco and alcohol - intended to both change behaviour and raise money. Mail

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