Daily roundup: Free schools, Somerset youth cuts, and child protection in the Isle of Wight

The Information Commissioner has told the Department for Education that it must publish a list identifying all groups that wish to establish free schools, the BBC reports. The department had previously rejected Freedom of Information requests from the Guardian newspaper, the British Humanist Association and the Association of Colleges, arguing that revealing the list could deter interested groups. The AoC said: “While this justifies our desire to see the applicants, we also hope that it sets a standard that regular lists will be published, so that the sector as a whole can work toward a clear understanding of what is and is not wanted in the establishment of free schools.”

A 21-year-old from Somerset has been granted permission to appeal against cuts to youth services that threaten the youth club for disabled youngsters that he attends. Local press in Somerset report that Aaron Hunt, who has learning difficulties and ADHD, claims the council’s decision to cut services was unlawful. His judicial review challenge was thrown out at the High Court in Cardiff in July last year, but he was yesterday told he could appeal that decision. The case will now go to a full hearing before three appeal court judges.

Child protection services in the Isle of Wight have been deemed “inadequate” by Ofsted. Inspectors found that children had been left at risk of significant harm due to failings in the service. The local lead members for children’s services and education, Dawn Cousins and Ian Anderson, said the council has addressed many of the issues identified by the inspection, which took place between 26 November and 5 December last year. They said: “The main areas of concern about social care practice were limited to the performance of a small number of staff in a specific area of the service and we have acted promptly to take action in relation to those employees.”

Nine men were on trial at the Old Bailey yesterday, accused of being involved in a sex-trafficking ring that abused young girls in Oxfordshire, according to the BBC. The men deny 51 charges, including rape and trafficking, covering a period between 2004 and 2012. The girls were allegedly targeted and groomed, often given drugs and alcohol, before being used and sold for sex in Oxfordshire and other cities. The trial is expected to continue until April. All the accused are in custody. 

The Who Cares? Trust has published a handbook for care leavers detailing the range of support offered to them by universities and colleges in England and Scotland. The guide shows that 93 per cent of institutions can offer year-round accommodation for care leavers, or help them to find it, while 95 per cent have a named contact for care leavers to go to for support. Lou Silver, Development Officer at Nottingham Trent University, said: “There is a huge amount of support available for care-experienced students, but the information available can be overwhelming and feel impossible to navigate. To have all of this information in one place is a goldmine for young people, careers advisers and care professionals.”

Michael Gove has announced plans to introduce performance-related pay for teachers. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has welcomed the decision, but warned it must be implemented with care. Russell Hobby, general secretary of the NAHT said: “It must be introduced sensitively and not based on crude targets. If it is introduced in a rush, it could appear unnecessarily aggressive and alienating.” But the Association of Teachers and Lecturers condemned the move. Mary Bousted, general secretary, said: “Performance-related pay risks damaging children’s education by putting off the best and brightest students from becoming teachers and demotivating current teachers.”