Papers focus on Sats exam results

The publication of the national curriculum test results of more than half a million 11-year-olds in England is widely reported in Tuesdays papers.

The Guardian reports that one in four children have failed to reach the required standard in maths, with one in five below the expected level in English.

And the Independent says some teachers believe Sats exaggerate pupils' abilities and cites a think-tank survey suggesting children are being coached.

The Daily Telegraph says teachers have "lost faith" in the exams.

Batman v Quiet Man

Most papers cover the car crash in which Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman was badly injured.

The Sun suggests that he was the victim of a curse which has led to misfortune for several fellow stars of the latest Batman film, The Dark Knight.

A visit to the film has prompted Iain Duncan Smith to protest to the Times in an intervention the paper describes as "Batman versus the Quiet Man".

He calls it "relentlessly violent" and criticises its 12 advisory certificate.

Stamp duty suspension?

Women start adult life more satisfied than men, but are the sadder sex by the age of 48, the Daily Mail says, quoting research by a Cambridge University professor.

The sociologist looked at surveys measuring happiness and expectations in thousands of US men and women.

The Sun claims Gordon Brown plans to temporarily suspend stamp duty as a way of kick-starting the housing market.

And the Financial Times notes a fall in oil prices as a symptom of mounting worries about a slow-down in growth.

Big gamble?

The back pages are filled pictures of the new England cricket captain, Kevin Pietersen, and words of welcome and approval from players and commentators.

But Michael Atherton, writing in the Times, describes the appointment as the selectors' biggest gamble ever.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror reports EastEnders dog Wellard is to be killed off on the show next week after a 14-year stint.

A show insider says: "Wellard was not a puppy when he arrived on Albert Square, so he would be over 100 in dog years."