IT’S well known that the first few years we spend at school are the most important for lots of reasons.

The Catholic Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits, had a saying ‘Give me the child till he is seven and I'll give you the man'.

The organisation, which set up Stonyhurst College at Hurst Green and has Pope Benedict as one of its adherents, meant that the first seven years of a child's life are crucial to his/her future development.

That’s one of many reasons why the leadership of our primary schools is vital to our society.

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

Blackburn with Darwen Council chief executive Harry Catterall said: “We work with all schools of all descriptions. Without a doubt the importance of effective leadership is absolutely crucial, particularly in primary schools.

“You can see a very successful school struggle within a single academic year if there is a leadership change that doesn’t work.

“Good primary heads are potentially significant role models to inspire youngsters.”

As well as classroom culture and achievement, judges will be looking for heads who have made their schools an integral part of their communities.

Nominations can come from governors, parents, community leaders or anyone who wants to give a dedicated headteacher the recognition he or she deserves.

n Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/education_zone/schools _awards/