More schools are failing Ofsted checks
More schools are being judged inadequate under a new inspection regime, figures from England's schools watchdog Ofsted show.
Why don't we vaccinate against chickenpox?
It is peak season for chickenpox - the highly-contagious, blistering virus which for most children is unpleasant and for a very few lethal.
Sex offender disclosure scheme to go nationwide
A scheme allowing parents to check if someone is a sex offender will be rolled out across England and Wales by March 2011, the Home Office says.
Cannabis factory raided at Sutton Coldfield mansion
Police have raided a gated mansion used as a cannabis factory in Sutton Coldfield during an operation which netted drugs worth £250,000.
Boys prefer to read simpler books, survey suggests
Boys choose to read less challenging books than girls and this gets more pronounced as they get older, according to a UK-wide survey of reading habits.
Obese children show signs of heart disease
Obese children as young as three years old show signs of future heart disease, say US researchers.

New Children's Laureate announced

Author and illustrator Anthony Browne is the new Children's Laureate, it has been announced.

Browne, whose books include Gorilla, Zoo and the Willy series of adventures, takes over from poet Michael Rosen.

The post is awarded once every two years to an eminent children's writer or illustrator to celebrate outstanding achievement in their field.

Browne said he wanted to encourage more children to enjoy reading and books, particularly picture books.

He said: "Picture books are for everybody at any age, not books to be left behind as we grow older.