Daily roundup 27 February: Abuse inquiry, educational progress, and child mental health

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in England and Wales is to hold its first public hearings today. The BBC reports that the inquiry will start by examining the cases of British children sent to Australia between 1945 and 1974. The inquiry will eventually investigate claims against councils, religious organisations, the armed forces and public and private institutions.


The gap between poorer pupils' attainment at the end of primary school and the end of secondary school has widened. Research by the Social Mobility Commission reveals that since 2012, low-income families have been making less progress year on year compared to their more affluent peers. Even when bright children from low-income families outperform their more advantaged peers at primary school, they are likely to be overtaken at the next stage of their education.


More than half of parents with children in mental health hospitals do not feel their condition has improved as a result of treatment, while nearly a quarter say it has actually deteriorated, according to a survey by YoungMinds and the National Autistic Society. The Guardian reports that the survey was based on responses from 448 parents whose children have been in mental health hospitals in England over the last five years. 


Most people think schools should teach children about the impact of sexting and pornography, a charity says. The BBC reports that 75 per cent of people think the impact of porn should be a compulsory part of the curriculum, while seven per cent oppose the move, according to research by Plan International UK. In its survey of 2,000 adults, 71 per cent also wanted pupils to get lessons on sexting.


Primary school pupils should get careers advice to help prevent girls drifting away from science and maths, deputy mayor for education Joanne McCartney said today. The Evening Standard reports that McCartney said many girls decide that the so-called STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and maths) are not for them when they are as young as seven or eight.