• More than 50 staff - almost all teachers - will go on strike tomorrow at an academy in North-west London over sackings by the educational provider, which pays its director an annual salary of £265, 000. E-Act's director Sir Bruce Liddington is likely to be highest paid education executive in the UK. Guardian


• Only 57% of those pupils eligible for free school meals gain the equivalent of five or more A*-C GCSEs, compared to 79% among those not eligible. At A Level, only 26% achieved level 3 qualifications, the equivalent of two A Level grades; 51% of those not eligible, achieved this level. Guardian


• The co-founder of online parent forum Netmums has said that even parents opposed to Sats would not want them scrapped at this late notice. Another website, Mumsnet have said its parents are relatively supportive of the boycott. Both the unions and the DCSF have said they are open to negotiations. BBC


• A report by AQA, one of Britain's biggest exam boards, claims that many students are deserting traditional GCSEs in favour of vocational qualifications which offer easier grades. Growing numbers of students are opting to take separate GCSEs in science but as many as half state comprehensives still fail to offer these courses. Telegraph


• The average age of teachers in Wales is getting lower - the number of registered teachers under 45 has increased from 48% to 57% in eight years. The number of head teachers too in their 50s dropped from 66% in 2006 to 58% this year. A union reports that 20% of older teachers faced discrimination on account of their age. BBC


• The Bishop of Nottingham has accused the Lib Dems of spelling out the abolition of faith schools and the state-church partnership in education. The Lib Dem manifesto pledges to 'ensure that all faith schools develop an inclusive admissions policy and end unfair discrimination on grounds of faith'. Telegraph

• More than 3.5million students and graduates face a surge in their student loan rates after inflation rose to 4.4% last month. Spokesman of a consumer website MoneySavingExpert commented that the last thing anyone should do is pay off the debt any quicker than planned. Times

• The Guardian sets out the social affairs policies of the three main parties. Guardian


• A survey of Accident and Emergency wards finds that serious violence rates are falling. However, violence against children under 11 had risen a significant 7.5% on the previous year. It also rose 2.7% among 18-30 year olds, the age bracket most likely to be victims. BBC

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