CONGRATULATIONS to everybody who picked up their examination results yesterday. Good or bad, they marked the end of one chapter, the end of one period of work, and they mark the beginning of a new chapter of new opportunities – even if those are opportunities you weren’t quite expecting.

There are some heartwarming stories of success, of Ukrainian refugees finding new futures in this country or of youngsters having their lives turned around through correct medical diagnoses.

None is more amazing than that of George Rabbett-Smith, of Bowes, whose college in Darlington believed in him and whose parents are giving him extraordinary support as he battles to overcome the aftermath of a suicide attempt. Good luck to him; good luck to everyone as they start their new chapter.

This is a time to celebrate the success of our young people, and the dedication of their teachers, but politics always rears its ugly head.

For example, 23.9 per cent of North East entrants got A grades or above whereas 32 per cent of London entrants achieved the highest levels. The gap between the two regions has narrowed slightly since last year, but there is still a huge way to go.

Bridget Phillipson, the new Education Secretary and a Sunderland MP, had already spoken about closing regional disparities, so let’s hope yesterday’s results really spur her on to find a way of levelling up attainment.

Why should which part of the country you are born in dictate your educational achievement and so your life chances? It really is not fair on the youngsters who are left behind because of an accident of geography, and it is not good for the country which is writing off a cohort of people who could be making a contribution because of regional inequalities.