Paul Whiteman, general secretary of NAHT, which represents leaders in the majority of schools, said: “There is a long list of pressing matters for the new Secretary of State to attend to but none is more important than making sure schools are able to deliver a successful recovery for all pupils, following so many months out of the classroom.

“The Prime Minister's promise that no child would be left behind due to learning-lost during the pandemic now needs to be delivered. Schools will need a radically more ambitious package of investment from the Treasury in order to get the job done.

“Convincing the Chancellor is the key. And whilst there will be a many different conflicting priorities at the Treasury this autumn, the case must be made that funding educational recovery is an investment in this country's future, not simply another drain on the nation’s finances.

“The best investment the government can make right now is in the country’s future citizens and workforce. The Education Secretary must quickly turn rhetoric into investment and into action. With the Comprehensive Spending Review scheduled for next month, there is absolutely no time to waste.”