• Quangos are seen as an easy target for the £6bn of cuts to be made in the education budget, namely the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency and Becta but heavy cuts will be made elsewhere. The new primary curriculum and a new form of assessment were also thought to be under particular threat, as is the £55bn Building Schools for the Future programme. Guardian
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• An education bill introduced in Parliament's first week back will implement Conservative proposals for education largely intact. These include removing local authority power to veto new schools, who will be able to attract state funding for pupils; existing state schools will be able to become academies, with schools rated 'outstanding' subject to immediate approval; it will also be made easier for community groups to acquire land to house 'free schools'. Times
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• Research has suggested that experience of bullying may be good for children. Those who had learned to repay hostility in kind - with the highest 'antipathy' ratings - were consequently rated as being more mature, emotionally literate and socially competent. Times


• Fewer than a third of abuse charges against teachers are ever proven, with two thirds cleared once their careers have been blighted by the accusation. In 2008-09, councils received 8,153 accusations; 2,319 of which were found to be substantiated. There were consequently 189 dismissals, 141 criminal investigations and 38 convictions. Telegraph


• Michael Russell, Scotland's Education Minister, talks about his vision for Scottish education: to set context, debate and encourage in an environment where ultimate decisions lie with local rather than central government. He intends to reform a weakness - the method, rather than content, of secondary school teaching and sees progress in creating the broadest consensus. Times


• All parents and carers of a child starting secondary school in August are to receive a letter from Michael Russell, reassuring them about the new curriculum and drawing out its educational objectives. He is under fire from many who claim that teachers will not be ready in time for its launch this year. Times


• Peter Harvey, the teacher who attacked a 14 year old boy with a dumbbell has been given a two year community order. Harvey pleaded guilty to grevious bodily harm without intent. BBC


• In the wake of the coalition manifesto release, parents' groups in Wandsworth, Clare and Ealing are eagerly anticipating their opportunities to set up a new local school. Times


• 18-24 year olds are found to have huge gaps in their historical knowledge: 45% did not know Nelson led England to victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, 15% thought Cromwell had done so and more than one in four thought the battle was part of the English Civil War. The survey was commissioned by the national schools singing programme, which tries to bring history to life through song. Telegraph


• Chris Woodhead, former chief inspector of schools, answers parents' questions. Times

• Oxford is to impose new measures to tackle 'studentification' - as students come to dominate urban areas which become renowned for being rowdy and dirty, generating a high volume of complaints. In April, laws came into place which give councils power to introduce licensing schemes for these Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), allowing them to spot check properties. Guardian


• The coalition has dumped the Tory manifesto promise to create 10,000 new university places. The pledge was included in late drafts on Wednesday evening but had disappeared under Treasury pressure by Thursday. Times


• In his first full interview after becoming universities minister, David Willetts focused on the expectation that should fees rise, universities would have to improve the quality of the student experience. He also advocated austerity measures, calling on Vice-Chancellors to rein in their wages and restrict the number of managers they employ. Times

• The coalition document has pledged to support families with plans for more health visitors to be paid for by focusing Sure Start on the neediest families, ongoing free nursery provision (by a greater range of providers and a workforce with a better gender balance), shared parental leave and reducing the 'couple's penalty' in the benefits system. BBC
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• Marie Stopes remains under a barrage of criticism in anticipation of the advert, to be aired on tv tonight, which will advertise its services without mentioning the term 'abortion'. The charity carries out 65, 000 terminations a year. Times
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• Charity Rape Crisis is distributing materials to schools for a fee as part of their campaign to end violence against women. The pack encourages children to debate claims such as that 'women enjoy rape' and 'ask for it by wearing short skirts'; they are also asked to role play a couple recalling a drunken encounter. Critics have said the pack is too explicit and supports sexualisation of children. Telegraph
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• Research has shown that bringing up a daughter is more expensive than a son. Girls between the ages of five and 18 cost around £127 more a year than a son. More money was lavished on daughters' lesson fees, uniform and sports kit, clothes and accessories, pocket money and birthday parties. Mail
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• The UK has the highest child mortality rate in Western Europe, at 5.3 per 1000 births. Globally, the UK was 12th best in 1970 but is currently rated 33rd. BBC
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• Research has found that gratitude plays a key role in how connected an individual feels to their partner and how satisfied they are with the emotional relationship. Telegraph

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