FAMILIES celebrated the opening of a new family centre at a Woodley school last week.

Parents and their children visited the new space at Highwood Primary School in Fairwater Drive to try out some of the new toys.

The family centre is a new space in school for parents and carers with children at the school.

Matt Hickey, headteacher, said: "The aim of the Family Centre is to strengthen the community aspects of the school, as well as providing help and support for our families in a variety of areas. This support may be for advice and guidance during difficult times, but there will also be opportunities for parents to learn new skills and meet new people.

"Eventually we would like to see as many parents as possible dropping in for coffee or staying and playing with their younger children once they have dropped elder children at school. This will allow them to gain a greater understanding of the things the Family Centre can offer.”

Kat Belcher, the school's parent support advisor will also be based at the centre.

There will be regular coffee mornings and stay and play sessions, as well as a variety of workshops and event.

For details call 01189265493.