Raglan VC Primary School has launched an appeal to help secure funding for additional outdoor learning facilities in the new school grounds.

The school, which is moving to a new site in September, is bidding for a £10,000 community award from the OneFamilyFoundation and local residents can boost its chances by voting online.

A major part of the funding would go towards providing a central archery resource that would enable the Monmouth Cluster of primary schools to offer archery and other outdoor activities on the site.

Pupils from Monmouth Comprehensive, Cross Ash, Kymin View, Llandogo, Osbaston, Overmonnow, Trellech and Usk Schools would all benefit directly from the funding, as well as pupils from Raglan school.

Rhian Bisson, the parent who nominated the project for the community award, said "Archery is a great sport for schools. As well as being a social and physical activity, it can also improve mental capacity through developing patience, focus, self-confidence and discipline."

The funds would also be used to develop natural learning and play facilities in the grounds, such as a carved storyteller's chair surrounded by 'story seats' and living willow structures to inspire imaginative play.

Despite its size, Raglan doesn't have a village hall, and the school and its facilities are at the heart of the community.

The idea would be to use the outdoor recreational facilities at the new school site to benefit not only pupils and nearby schools, but also to provide valuable social amenities for the local community.

The OneFamily Foundation is a customer benefit fund, provided by mutual, OneFamily, which has committed to make £5million available to its members over the next five years to make their lives and communities better.

Although only OneFamily members can nominate a project for funding, the public are encouraged to show their support via an online vote, with winning projects being those that secure the most votes.

Mr Jeremy Piper, Head of Raglan VC Primary School said, "The new school will provide us with an amazing learning environment both inside and outside the building.

"As we have been developing how we can use the site, the learning opportunities and the curriculum, it has become increasingly clear how much potential this new site not only offers for us as a school but also the wider community and other schools and educational establishments.

"The opportunity arose through one of our school parents to put ourselves forward for the OneFamily Foundation bid process so that we can support, from the school's perspective, extending the possibilities here from the very start."

He said that the ability to offer additional sporting opportunities in areas such as football, rugby and archery not only extended the school's curriculum coverage but would also enable them to work closely with local community clubs and groups. Equally, by working to develop sculptures, artwork and growing structures the school could engage actively with local artists.

"We can see a huge potential in the opportunity that we have been given by Monmouthshire County Council and the Welsh Government in having a new school build, and we hope that, should we win this bid, it will be the start of a collaborative project that will have a positive impact on the children, staff, school and the wider community," he added.

To support the Raglan Outdoor Learning bid please visit:

Voting closes at midday on June 29.