A HAMPSHIRE school will face competition from more than 300 other projects, in the aim of winning a funding grant.

Shamblehurst Primary School has made it to the finals, to receive funding for their farm project, but will compete against 305 other projects for the coveted £5,000 grant.

As part of the Aviva Community Fund, the school, in Wildern Lane, Hedge End, is guaranteed £500 for making it to the final, and have raised an additional £420.

With the money, the school aims to build a school farm, including an outdoor learning area, allotment, orchard, pygmy goats, chickens and bees.

Headteacher Anna Jones said: “We have been thinking of how we can develop our curriculum so that we offer our children opportunities that open up a world of possibilities.

“Outdoor learning sits as the heart of this, with many of our children already experiencing a Forest School curriculum for one session a week.

“Since starting this initiative we have seen how many of our children in our school have grown in resilience, self-belief, confidence, enthusiasm, communication and problem solving skills as well as emotional well-being.

“At a time where children’s social and emotional well-being has been rightly highlighted as a priority we feel that this aspect of our curriculum promotes these areas in a very real and meaningful way.

“Our fabulous Year Three team which is made up of 86 children, and 6 adults have led our allotment and school farm initiative.”

And in its application for the grant the school says: “This project will make a real and lasting difference to every child’s wellbeing in our school. I

“It will be fantastic for our learning to include so many real experiences that promote positive mental and physical health, as well as understanding the importance of our natural environment.”

Local Tesco stores in Hedge End and Bursledon are also supporting the project with their Bags of Help Scheme during January and February.

This scheme see’s the money raised from the 5p bag levy being donated to projects and fundraisers in the community.

The school has also recently achieved its Royal Horticultural Society level 2 school gardening award, after successfully completing the checklist.

Due to completing the checklist, the school has received its certificate, and a copy of the RHS ‘How to Grow Practically Everything: Gardening Projects Anyone Can Do’ book.