Daily roundup 21 June: Writing, 'geeks', and child sexual exploitation

Children who write for pleasure achieve significantly better results in the subject in the classroom, National Literacy Trust research suggests. The BBC reports that those who like writing outside class are seven times more likely to write above the expected level for their age.


Older men tend to have "geekier" sons who are more aloof, have higher IQs and a more intense focus on their interests than those born to younger fathers, researchers claim. The Guardian reports that the finding, which emerged from a study of nearly 8,000 British twins, suggests that having an older father may benefit children and boost their performance in technical subjects at secondary school.


Children who go missing regularly in Gloucestershire are at risk of sexual exploitation because police are not tracing them quickly, a report has found. The BBC reports that officers did not attend missing cases, make timely arrests or seize evidence fast enough, according to a report by the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary.


Almost two million families are being sent letters warning that "cash-starved" schools must be given more funding. ITV News reports that the letters, urging parents to continue campaigning for a growing funding gap to be plugged, are being sent by head teachers at around 4,000 state schools in England, covering 17 councils.


Too many children are being kept in police custody cells overnight in the West Midlands, a report has found. The Express & Star reports that the Chief Inspector of Prisons and HM Inspector of Constabulary found that children were kept overnight in cells because appropriate accommodation could not be provided by the local authority.