A CHESPTOW school has been awarded £5,000 for new play equipment from a national community award programme.

The Dell Primary School triumphed at the OneFamily foundation awards, which provide 'life-changing sums' to schools and groups across the UK.

The school, which has 400 pupils, desperately needed new play equipment to replace broken and worn toys which current pupils use.

Parent teacher association (PTA) member Janet Hopkins, who nominated the school for the award, said the money will be used for new role-play and construction play equipment for pupils aged four to 11.

“Play is an essential part of children’s development, and we’re so pleased that we now have the funding to revamp the facilities available at the school,” she said.

“The aim is to provide a wide range of indoor and outdoor equipment to stimulate imaginative play so children can learn about themselves, their peers and the world around them while, most importantly, having fun.”

The new play facilities will help the children develop essential social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills while enjoying playing with their peers.

James Hale, customer engagement manager at OneFamily, said the funding will have a “positive effect on children’s lives for many years to come”.

“Our community awards are designed to benefit the causes closest to our customers’ hearts, giving community groups and projects the funding boost they need to continue to offer their vital work,” he said.

“The next community awards will launch on Monday 19 September, so I’d urge all Monmouthshire customers with an active policy to get involved and nominate a cause close to their heart.”

The community awards are run by the OneFamily foundation, an organisation set up by financial mutual, OneFamily, to redistribute a proportion of its profits to help its customers, their families and local communities.

For more information, visit: https://www.onefamily.com/your-foundation/community-awards/