Daily roundup 19 January: Research schools, drug gangs, and Wilshaw

Education Secretary Justine Greening has announced a wave of "research schools" to raise standards in disadvantaged parts of England. The BBC reports that schools will be based in 12 opportunity areas, six of which were announced yesterday. The areas will share £72m, to improve the quality of education and to provide young people with the advice and skills needed for good jobs.


Home Secretary Amber Rudd is facing calls for a national strategy to tackle the menace of gangs running "county lines" drug trafficking networks, whereby children as young as 12 are running drugs from London to market towns. The Evening Standard reports that, in an unprecedented move, councillors from 19 London boroughs have joined forces to call on the Home Secretary to crack down on the problem, saying vulnerable young people were being exploited by older gang members.


Former Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw has revealed he plans to work with schools in India. The BBC reports that Wilshaw, who was born in northern India, will become an adviser to the GEMS Education company.


The number of clubs affected by British football's historic child sex abuse scandal has risen to 248, with 526 potential victims. The Times reports that latest figures from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) have revealed an increase of 100 amateur and professional clubs since the last update four weeks ago.


Plans to develop a youth zone in Warrington are back on track after a new site was identified for the proposed venue. The Warrington Guardian reports that an historic former cinema had been earmarked for development before the site was ripped apart in a devastating fire.