The Yorkshire Post says: Inspirational teachers give pupils a chance to shine

So it is heartening to hear how headteacher Sarah Horsbrough, who is due to take charge of a new 420-place school in south Leeds next September, is determined to show children both at the new primary and the two schools she currently oversees in Bradford the importance of believing they are just as capable as those born into more privileged backgrounds.

Miss Horsbrough, who is originally from south Leeds and took her A-Levels at night school while working as a teaching assistant at her former primary, says she is “living proof” of what can be achieved in life no matter where you come from; a message she wants her pupils to absorb.

Teachers like Miss Horsbrough have a vital role to play in transforming attitudes at Yorkshire’s primary and secondary schools. The difference they can make, with the right support, can be seen from the example of the trailblazing success of London’s City Challenge programme which transformed exam results in the capital.

It saw education experts given the job of supporting struggling schools with the Government’s financial backing and eventually helped them become among the best in the country.

Financial support is undoubtedly vital for our region’s schools. But inspirational leadership from staff who can draw on their own experiences to encourage pupils is a priceless asset.