Calling all parents!

Are you looking forward to the start of the new academic year?

After the long summer break, children and families across the county are spending this weekend making their final preparations to go back to school.

So will thousands of teachers, support staff and school workers and volunteers across Cumbria.

We're asking you to celebrate this key date in the academic year.

With the new term starting today for many of Cumbria's schools we are inviting you to share your special "first day at school" photographs.

Whether it is your four-year-old heading to "big school" for the first time or your new year seven child going to secondary school, email your schoolday memory here .

We'll post them on our website.

Don't worry if your school isn't back for a few days, we'll be running this all week!

Some photographs may appear in our newspapers too as we look to mark the first week of the 2017/18 academic year.

Don't forget to provide details of who is in the picture, their age, where they are from and what school they are going to.

Cumbrian schools will be seeing a staggered start to the new academic year.

For instance, four and five year olds starting school for the very first time are likely to have a phased introduction to reception to ensure they settle in well.

Staff inset days may also be held to allow for additional training, therefore delaying the start of classes.

Whatever the reason, parents will have been notified and kept updated on all the key dates from their individual schools.

  • Look out during the first week back at school for details of who has made it on the shortlist in this year's Golden Apple Awards. Finalists will be revealed in the Times & Star.