Daily roundup 13 April: Ofsted apology, binge eating, and apprenticeships

The former head of Dudley Council’s children’s services has apologised in the wake of an Ofsted report that found “serious and widespread weaknesses” within the department. The Stourbridge News reports that Tim Crumpton, the council’s former lead member for children’s services, issued the apology at a council meeting. ?


Rewarding children with food could trigger emotional eating as they get older, according to a study. The Daily Mail reports that parents who use feeding practices, such as using food as a treat, could unintentionally teach their children to rely on food to deal with their emotions.


Employers of young apprentices are set to save thousands of pounds following the scrapping of employer National Insurance contributions. The change, which came into effect this month, relates to apprentices under the age of 25.


Children’s charity 4Children has named Jo Cleary as its new chair. Cleary, who was previously chair of the now defunct College of Social Work, succeeds Pip O’Byrne, who steps down after leading the organisation for 30 years.


Ofsted has called for Reading Borough Council to do more to boost exam results, especially for children on free school meals. Ofsted said GCSE results in Reading are worse than any other area in the south east of England, highlighting a "wide and worsening" attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.


The Department for Education has launched awards to celebrate "character" among young people for the second year running. The government said that schools, colleges and other learning providers can apply for the awards, which recognise those "leading the field" in character education.