A year ago, we opened the doors to our very own social supermarket to help our community stretch their household budgets and access everyday essentials. Thanks to funding secured from the National Lottery by our Academy Community Pioneer, Miss Heron, The Pan-Tree has become a vital part of life here at Co-op Academy Woodlands.

To mark this special milestone, families joined Miss Heron and our Friends of Woodlands volunteers for a birthday party on Thursday 24th September. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate, share some cake and say a huge thank you to everyone who continues to support us in helping our local community.

Miss Heron shared her pride in how far the project has come:

"Opening The Pan-Tree was all about making sure our families feel supported, valued and cared for. Seeing how much it has helped over the last year and bringing everyone together to celebrate today, shows just what a strong community we have."

Our Headteacher, Mrs Clark, added:

"At Woodlands, we want our families to know that we are here for them both inside and outside the classroom. The Pan-Tree is a shining example of how we work together to support our pupils and their families, ensuring every child has what they need to thrive."

Thank you to all our volunteers, staff, and families who have made The Pan-Tree’s first year such a success. Here’s to many more years of working together for our community!