A YORK head teacher has joined the Prime Minister and three former Premiers in paying tribute to a former York schoolboy who rose to become a top civil service mandarin and who has now died, aged 56.

Sir Jeremy Heywood, who recently retired as Cabinet Secretary as he battled against cancer, attended Bootham School between 1973 and 1980, becoming head boy.

The school’s current head, Chris Jeffery, said yesterday he was ‘very fondly remembered’ at Bootham, as was his father, Peter, who was head of English there.

He said: “I spoke to the school about him in our morning meeting this morning, and particularly highlighted everything that has been said in the past few hours and weeks about his deep integrity, his unwavering commitment to the common good and his choice to put his very considerable talents to the service of his country and its people.

“In so many ways his life in public service embodies many of the core Quaker principles that Bootham still overtly espouses now as it did in his day.

“The whole Bootham community will -to use the time-honoured Quaker phrase- continue to hold his family and many friends in the Light over coming days and weeks.”

Theresa May, David Cameron, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown all hailed the tireless work and support of Sir Jeremy.

Mrs May hailed his impact on the country, saying:“I will always be grateful for the support which he gave me personally and will remember his achievements across his career as we regret that he did not have the chance to offer his talents for longer in retirement.”

Tony Blair said he had been “a quite outstanding public servant,’ adding: “He worked with more prime ministers and at a more senior level than any civil servant in recent memory and served us all with integrity, distinction and infinite commitment.”

Gordon Brown said: “Jeremy Heywood was the most dynamic civil servant of his generation, a leader who inspired confidence, whose expertise was recognised by all and whose impartiality was never in doubt.”

David Cameron said: “He was an amazing man, brilliant civil servant and dedicated to our country.

“ It was a privilege to work with him.”