RAGLAN’S new £4.5 million school opened its doors to pupils for the first time last Friday (4th September).

Raglan VC Church in Wales Primary School has been part funded by Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools and education programme and built as part of the council’s 21st Century School programme.

The cabinet member for education, Councillor Liz Hacket Pain, said: “While we know that there is more to good schools than bricks and mortar, it is widely acknowledged that the environment in which pupils learn plays a pivotal role in their achievement.

“This new state-of-the-art school is designed to get the very best out of our pupils and I’m confident that it will inspire them.

“I’m sure that the whole community looks forward to taking advantage of this wonderful new community facility.”

The former Raglan school site suffered poor energy and high maintenance levels with limitations over access, comfort levels, light levels and ventilation. The new school is eco-friendly and has been awarded a platinum Eco Flag.

Raglan Primary School head teacher Jeremy Piper said: “The pupils, staff and the whole school community are really looking forward to starting in our new learning environment.

“Through its innovative design, we will be able to develop cross-phase, cross-class and cross-curricular learning opportunities more effectively to meet the needs of all pupils.

“The learning environment is designed to be flexible, allowing us to adapt the learning environment to enable even more innovative and exciting ways of learning to be developed.

“The school is a vibrant, welcoming environment that will clearly motivate staff and pupils to be the best they can be, and an environment of which the whole community can be proud.

“We are committed to our continued partnerships with the local and wider community, and hope that the school will continue to be a place in which groups can come together for the benefit of the community as well as the school.”

The minister for education and skills, Huw Lewis, said: “Our ambitious 21st Century Schools programme aims to provide learners with state-of-the-art facilities that inspire them to fulfil their potential.

“The opening of this new school in Raglan is an excellent example of what we, in partnership with local government, are trying to achieve.

“This significant investment will benefit not only the pupils who attend the school but also the wider community. In addition, capital investments of this nature provide numerous employment and training opportunities, which is excellent news for the local economy. I wish everyone involved with the school the very best for the future”. 

Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools programme is a commitment to invest in building and improving schools all over Wales. It aims to transform the learning experience of students, ensuring they are taught in classrooms with the technologies and facilities needed to deliver a 21st Century curriculum.

Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) and Welsh Government have committed an equal share of the cost of the £4.5m building.