Lessons for all over education

However it would be a mistake if the significance of these success stories, in particular the efforts of the students concerned and their teachers, was overlooked by the wider education fraternity.

Today we report that more than half of the private schools in Yorkshire saw the majority of GCSE exams sat achieve an A* or A grade.

Nationally the number of independent school pupils achieving an A* grade has risen for a seventh year.

These achievements do not deserve to be dismissed because of a belief that exams are becoming easier. After all, nobody supposes the 100 metres track has suddenly become shorter when a new world record is set by the likes of Usain Bolt (false starts permitting).

While this success is welcome, it is also important to recognise that an independent education will be beyond the reach of thousands of young people across the region, even with an increasing number of bursaries available.

With the region as a whole consistently at the bottom of state school league tables, the question must be asked: What lessons can be learned from the success of Yorkshire’s independent schools to benefit all of our young people?

There are three areas where the private sector can enjoy an advantage over struggling state schools – smaller class sizes, freedom from political meddling and the guarantee of supportive parents.

When Education Secretary Michael Gove claimed his free school initiative would open up access to the type of education “only the rich could afford”, he missed the point. Like his predecessors, the Minister is relying on changing the structure of schools and shaming those at the bottom of league tables to deliver improvements.

What politicians need to ensure is that children and their families from all backgrounds recognise the importance of early years education. Social status is irrelevant – a child will struggle to fulfill their potential in either the state or the private sector unless they grasp the key skills at the outset.