Daily roundup 16 September: Learning, CSE awareness, and free schools

Boredom combined with adolescence can turn pupils off learning for three years in the early stages of secondary school, a study has suggested. The BBC reports a poll of 32,000 pupils by GL Assessment found that the overwhelming majority of pupils start secondary school with "initial enthusiasm" but this wanes during the first two years.


Police are dealing with at least six cases a month involving lone vulnerable young children found at Birmingham New Street Station, the British Transport Police have said. The Birmingham Mail reports 125 cases have been dealt with at the station since January 2015 and the force is now launching a child sexual exploitation awareness campaign urging passengers to watch out for children in need of help.


More than 80,000 new free school places have been announced by Education Secretary Justine Greening. According to the Department for Education, 77 new free schools have been approved and 56 previously approved new schools are due to open this month. 


Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are growing among young people in London, research by Public Health England has found. Pink News reports that those aged 15 to 24 and living in the capital during 2015, made up for 36 per cent of all new STI diagnoses, with gonorrhoea, chlamydia, genital warts and syphilis all being diagnosed.


A 19-year-old university student killed herself with poison because she was traumatised by the actions of Islamic State (IS), an inquest has heard. The Express reports Natasha Kasanda told her parents how deeply disturbed she was over the actions of IS. Her mother, Tasheni Makumbi-Monk told Hull Coronor's Court, the teenager had watched videos online of IS and it greatly distressed her.


The Duke of Cambridge wants to ensure that Prince George and Princess Charlotte not only fulfil their academic potential but are emotionally supported. The Telegraph reports the comments by Prince William come in a blog ahead of a visit to a secondary school with the Duchess of Cambridge to learn how young people are coping with life's pressures.


A children's charity is aiming to raise £25,000 by Christmas to replace its "nursery on wheels" which helps deprived families in east London. The London Evening Standard reports the Hackney Playbus charity needs a replacement for its yellow double-decker bus after it broke down on the way to a play scheme last month.