A Harpenden infants school is set to revamp its outside learning area after scooping a £5,000 national award.

The money was gifted to Crabtree Infant School by financial services company OneFamily, as part of its Community Awards scheme.

The school, which has 180 pupils aged four to seven, will use the funding to expand its outside learning area and install artificial grass, so that it can be used by children all year round. It will also use the money to buy new outdoor educational toys.

The Community Awards gives clients the opportunity to nominate causes “close to their hearts” that will make a difference to the local community.

The nominated projects then compete to win £5,000, £10,000 or £25,000 funding, across four categories.

Crabtree Infant School is one of 32 organisations to have won an award in the latest round.

Christina Rae, who has a daughter at the school, provided the nomination.

She said: “The children are always eager to play and learn outside, but unfortunately the wooden decking currently in the area becomes slippery when it rains and in bad weather the outdoor learning space has to be closed.

“This money means we can resurface the area with artificial grass so it can be used all year round.

“We are extremely grateful for everyone who voted for us to win.

“Without their help the entire project would have been impossible.”

Guy French, corporate and customer strategy director at OneFamily, said: “Playing outside is such a vital part of children’s development and hopefully the Crabtree pupils will enjoy the revamped learning area for many years to come.

“Projects like these that the awards support are all very special to our customers and make a positive difference in their local communities.

“We are a customer-owned business and for us it’s not just about offering financial products and services.

“The OneFamily Foundation is a way that we give something back to our customers, and each year we give hundreds of thousands of pounds to causes that matter to them most.”

For more information on the OneFamily Community Awards project visit: www.onefamily.com/your-foundation