RAGLAN’S brand new £4.5m primary school was officially opened last Thursday 22nd October.  Unveiling the plaque at a ceremony attended by over a hundred people were the Right Reverend Richard Pain, Bishop of Monmouth and County Councillor Brian Strong, the chairman of Monmouthshire County Council.

Raglan Church in Wales VC 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. It heralds the launch of other 21st Century standard schools in Monmouthshire with secondary schools at Caldicot and Monmouth scheduled to open within the next two years.

Cllr Strong said: “The village of Raglan will find that the wait for a new school will be well worthwhile. It has been constructed using the same plaza design implemented within Caldicot’s recently-opened Dewstow Primary School and will truly be a community facility with flexible spaces offering opportunities for local events.”

Cabinet member for education, Cllr Liz Hacket Pain, added: “Raglan is a community famous for its historic castle but there is also an ancient church dedicated to the early educationalist St Cadoc the Wise. I hope that in years to come people will look back on this day and recognise it as a significant occasion in the village’s journey towards educational excellence.”

Council Leader Peter Fox said: “I’d like to thank all those who made this day possible and hope that pupils, staff and the community take away happy memories and make the best of this wonderful facility.”

The school’s innovative design has enabled staff to create opportunities to meet the needs of all pupils. The environment is designed to be flexible, lending itself to exciting ways of learning to be developed.

Headteacher Jeremy Piper commented: “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.”

The Welsh Government’s ambitious 21st Century Schools and Education 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 with the technologies and facilities needed to deliver a 21st Century curriculum. Monmouthshire County Council and Welsh Government have committed an equal share of the cost of the £4.5m building.