A GOOD primary school education can encourage a child to pursue a lifelong love of learning and that’s why this category is always so hotly contested.

Learning to read, write, count and reason are skills we use all our lives.

As well as the academic fundamentals an excellent primary head teacher also encourages flair and imagination and creates a supportive and caring atmosphere where youngsters – and staff – thrive and learn social skills alongside academic ones.

It’s a tough ask to ensure pupils and staff needs are well cared for alongside the demands of parents and regulatory bodies – but that’s what our very best primary school head teachers manage on a daily basis.

That’s why this category is such an impressive one.

Last year’s entries were truly inspiring with a very worthwhile winner – Jacqui Young whose work at St Stephen’s CE Primary in Blackburn has led to an increase in academic achievement alongside a well-rounded approach to education while always pursuing excellence.

This category is being sponsored by Alpha Digital Networks PLC for the second consecutive year.

A spokesman said: “In these days of fast-paced technological change, it is imperative that we, the current generation, plan for the future of young people.

“We have a moral duty to give them the best possible start in life and we need to provide them with the opportunities to develop their skills for the benefit not only of themselves, but also for society in general. Early Years and Primary Education is key to shaping the progress of our children and research shows that equipping our young people with the correct tools for them to develop as well-balanced individuals and embedding society’s most precious values, will mean that they enter the world of work inspired to reach their goals and achieve a level of success which will benefit everyone in society.

“That is why we feel that it is important to celebrate the support, guidance and inspiration that Primary Head Teachers provide.

“Schools work very hard to facilitate the optimum progress of each child in their care.

“Teachers are now better trained than ever to provide the education that is necessary to service our future employees.

“They are using a range of technology to enhance the learning of our young people and they are giving them both the knowledge and skills to become successful.

“It is for that reason that ‘Alpha Digital Networks PLC’ is proud to sponsor this category.”

We see that a technology rich curriculum is the driving force behind the Government’s current Education Policy and together, we can influence and shape the lives of young people,” said an Alpha Digital spokesman.

Nomination forms for this year’s awards can be downloaded from lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/education_zone/schools_awards/