Daily roundup 9 May: Schools funding, foster care inquiry, and homework

Protecting schools from real-terms cuts in England would mean spending the equivalent of an extra penny on the basic rate of income tax, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has said. The BBC reports that the financial think-tank said maintaining funding at current levels would mean raising spending by £3.7bn.


Hull's most senior judge has called for an inquiry into how a Hull foster carer who raped three children stayed "below the radar" for so long. The Hull Daily Mail reports that the foster carer led a "campaign of debauchery" against a vulnerable brother and sister who were under his protection in 2009.


A head teacher has been praised for sending a letter with creative 'homework' suggestions for children preparing for SATs tests. The Telegraph reports that John Newport, the headmaster at Marden Bridge Middle School in Whitley Bay, urged students to run around and eat Haribo instead of revising or worrying about the upcoming exams.


Sheffield's children's centres will have more of a family focus under a new policy due to be approved by politicians this week. The Sheffield Star reports that the authority plans to open up the 16 centres that currently deal with youngsters up to five years old to those aged up to 19, or 25 if they have special educational needs or a disability.


Youth vote campaigners are warning of a democratic deficit in the general election as it emerged that the Cabinet Office will not provide funding to groups focused on increasing turnout among young and marginalised people. The Guardian reports that funding provided by the Cabinet Office in past general elections will not be available this time because the pre-election period has already begun.