Daily roundup: School standards, safeguarding, and outdoor play

Department for Education officials have warned ministers that further legislation may be required to enable ministers to intervene in failing free schools and academies. A leaked paper – reported by the Observer – reveals that DfE officials had warned the "political ramifications of any more free schools being judged inadequate are very high and speedy intervention is essential". The Education Secretary, Michael Gove, argues that free schools and academies benefit from freedom of oversight from local authorities, but the document suggests officials think more regulation is needed.

Railway Children is to call for greater awareness of vulnerable children who use travel hubs in major cities. Andy McCullough, UK head of policy at Railway Children, is to tell the transport select committee’s inquiry on security on the railways that too often children are invisible or seen as troublesome at railway or bus stations and in city centres. But he will tell the committee that many have run away, be vulnerable to exploitation and be in need of help.