As the 1st of September draws near, there are shop stands full of special cards with heartfelt wishes of appreciation, thanks and love for fathers, grandfathers and other father figures in our lives. In a world that often overlooks the quiet sacrifices and steadfast support of these men, we want to take this moment to acknowledge and celebrate them.

Dads parent differently from mums and that difference matters greatly for children. A father brings a unique contribution to parenting that no one else can replicate and fathers and father figures make a vital contribution to a child’s development.

And so to all our dads, we want to say thank you for everything you do for us every day. We want to say thank you for making things fun and for being the person we can turn to when we have a question or need some advice. Thank you for making time, which you give daily; your care, which you give freely and your love, which you give unconditionally.

Gail Mitchell, Head of Primary