Longshaw Academy Friends (LAF)

Longshaw Academy Friends — affectionately known as LAF — is our school’s Parent, Teacher, and Friends Association. We chose the name Friends to reflect the wider community of individuals who generously support our school, beyond just parents and staff. Our mission is to build strong, meaningful relationships within the school and across the local community.

Our Purpose

LAF exists to advance the education and wellbeing of pupils at Longshaw Academy by:

• Fostering positive relationships between staff, parents, carers, and the wider community.
• Organising activities and providing resources that enrich the school experience and support learning.

What We Do

We’re proud to have raised funds for a variety of school projects, including:

• Enhancements to the Infant Playground
• Equipment for the Junior Playground

Our events and initiatives include:

• Children’s Discos – always a hit with pupils!
• Pre-loved Uniform Sales – run by a dedicated team of parent volunteers.
• Book Sales – made possible by generous donations from families.
• Creative Competitions – including cupcake decorating and poster design.
• Quiz Nights – fun for families and a great way to connect.

We’re also passionate about sustainability. In collaboration with the school’s Eco Council, we created a Plastic Party Pack that can be rented by families and community members — helping reduce single-use plastic at celebrations.

Celebrating Together

Each year, we’re grateful to the Year 6 parents who come together to fundraise for the Year 6 Leavers’ Celebrations — a memorable send-off for our pupils.

We’ve hosted vibrant community events such as:

• Eid Bazaars
• Christmas Fetes

And every festive season, we organise:

• Personalised Christmas Cards
• The magical ‘Elfridges’ Gift Shop for children
• Donation of Christmas Trees to bring joy to the school grounds.