OUR first years in a school environment are crucial in so many ways.

Education comes first, but it's also about being inspired to learn, learning social skills, being encouraged to participate and find out where our skills lie.

To be be able to do all those things we need to be in a safe, caring, inspirational environment - and that often comes down to the primary school's head teacher. That's why this category is always so hotly contested.

Learning to read, write, count and reason are the basic building blocks which form the foundations, not just of the rest of education, but the whole of our lives.

As well as these fundamentals, a good primary also encourages flair and imagination in an atmosphere which youngsters enjoy as they mix with others.

The Lancashire Telegraph Primary Headteacher of the Year will be someone whose school embodies all the above.

Every year we have dozens of entries and inspiring stories - tales of head teachers with flair and imagination who not only help with the basic building blocks of education but also go the extra mile to make learning fun and enjoyable so the thousands of youngsters in East Lancashire want to go back the next day.

Nominations for the Primary School Head Teacher of the Year can come from governors, parents, community leaders or anyone who wants to give a head teacher recognition. Nomination forms can be found at lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/education_zone/schools_awards/