New Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, a free school meals pupil brought up by a single parent, is an inspiring example of how teachers and schools can transform lives for the better

Pupils from poorer backgrounds who leave school trailing behind wealthier classmates is one of the driving reasons why ­Education ­Secretary Bridget Phillipson is right to treat teachers as equals. The Tories’ war with staff who educate our children was a distraction from the urgent task of ensuring no child is left behind.

Phillipson, a free school meals pupil brought up by a single parent, is an inspiring example of how teachers and schools can transform lives for the better if they are allowed, equipped and motivated to do the job.

Education is a route out of poverty and opens doors to new opportunities. Yet for far too long, certainly the last 14 Tory years, tens of thousands of kids were sidelined. Not any more. Labour knows it must deliver for everybody; children who deserve extra help, and demoralised teachers ­demonised by the Conservatives.

Family’s grief

THE recovery of the body of a young man believed to be missing British teenager Jay Slater must be devastating for the apprentice bricklayer’s family. With all the signs indicating that it is Jay, from his clothes to the grim discovery being close to where his mobile signal ended, the hope is gone that he would be found alive.

How he came to die has yet to be established and search workers will face questions as to why the corpse was not found weeks ago. However, it must be acknowledged the terrain is hostile and difficult to comb.

Jay’s parents deserve to know what happened and we implore Spanish authorities to help them find some form of closure.

Lions, when?

Football did not come home but England’s players did after losing a heartbreaking second successive Euro final.

Captain Harry Kane’s thanks to fans for their fantastic support was a reminder, not that one was needed, that by the 2026 World Cup in North America it will be 60 years of hurt.