Children at Ramsgate Arts Primary are choosing an artist they want to work with them in creating a piece of public art for the town.
The next stage of the three-year Pioneering Places project with partner Turner Contemporary gallery, Margate, has seen pupils who worked on the programme last year gaining valuable creative experience now become Young Arts and Heritage Leaders.
In this school year they are driving the project forward and are selecting the person they believe has the best concept from a shortlist of talented national and regional artists. The RAPS children are working in partnership with St Laurence Juniors from Ramsgate as part of the project.
Working with Project Manager Jo Martin and Turner Contemporary ‘navigators’ Jo Ursell and Lucy Pettet, the children explored the diverse proposals and considered what they felt was best to be installed in the town when completed.
They discussed which of the options they thought would be best at home in Ramsgate, which artist has best met their criteria, which artist they feel the Ramsgate community would like best, and which was the best idea overall.
After much deliberation through discussion and a range of activities, they let the Turner Contemporary team know their choices.
The next step is for the artist with the preferred scheme to be contacted and to meet the young arts leaders in the coming weeks – the artist’s name will be announced then and the next step of Pioneering Places will begin.
Jo Ursell from Turner Contemporary said: “The ideas the children considered were all different and each had something very interesting to offer. It is a tough selection challenge for them and they take their responsibilities very seriously.
“They have developed their arts appreciation and creative skills in the first part of the Pioneering Places programme and are now making considered choices. They are fulfilling their roles as young arts leaders very well.
Jo Martin added: “This process is one that we believe to be a first in child led arts commissioning.
“After working with the children for a year, we have now reached a huge milestone, where they are currently appointing an artist to deliver an artwork in response to their brief. It’s been remarkable to see how thoughtful, decisive and united they have all been through this process, and I think that will reflect in the success of the final work.”
The three year project was launched in 2018 and it is planned that Pioneering Places will result in a major new artwork being commissioned and installed near Ramsgate harbour by the end of venture.
The regular sessions at school and at the gallery are part of the Pioneering Places East Kent project and the nationwide Great Place scheme.
Head of RAPS Nick Budge said: “It is a fabulous opportunity for our children to be part of this pioneering project. As an arts specialist school it is important that our creative talents are recognised not just within school but in the community – this project certainly gives us the chance to play a central role in the creation of a piece of public art.”
Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School at Broadstairs and Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate.
To book a tour of RAPS and see the arts learning in action, contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.
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We hope you've all had a wonderful summer break!
Just to remind you that school reopens for Term 1 on Tuesday 3rd September at 8:15 am for Years 1 - 6.
Monday 2nd September is an INSET day and closed to all pupils.
We look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday!
Our new Reception pupils start on Monday 9th September (part-time).
Please see attached guidance for our Viking school parent & carers.
It was game on for young competitors at the annual sports day at Ramsgate Arts Primary.
Children from all age groups took part in a structured programme of events so that everyone took part in the same one throughout the morning.
Traditional running races, egg and spoon, and water carrying, space hopper leaping, firing a water gun at balloons, and a bean bag balance were popular as were the fancy dress relay and football skills events.
The sports day ended with parents and staff challenges including sprint races and tug of war challenges.
The final results were announced to loud cheers with Yellow team triumphant with a slender two point advantage over Greens in second; Blue were third with Reds fourth.
After the medals and certificates presentation, children joined their families for a picnic on the field.
Head of School Nick Budge said: “Our children really got involved whether they were taking part or cheering 
their team mates on.
“There was a variety of events for them to enjoy involving balance and motor skills and dexterity challenges, plus lots of competitive fun. The parents gave us great support as ever and the organising team and staff did a fabulous job in co-ordinating so many different challenges for each child to enjoy.
“We are already looking forward to our outdoor activities and sports in the coming school year. We are working on a programme to upgrade our field and play areas to offer even more possibilities and opportunities.”
Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School and Chilton Primary School.
*For more information, contact Mr Budge on 01843 582847
If you go down to the woods today – you’ll find a group of young children from Ramsgate Arts Primary enthralled in their latest learning adventure.
The Reception year group has been inspired by six morning sessions and picnic lunches under the trees at Manor House Forest School and Farm on the Quex Park estate at Birchington.
Activities have included magic wand making, working with tools, enjoying the Gruffalo story and going on a forest hunt, a scavenger leaf hunt, bug hunt, creating mud kitchen recipes, wood cookies, toasting marshmallows by the open fire and making habitats for animals.
Sophie Spurrier is Head of Early Years at RAPS. She said: “The Manor House forest school has been an invaluable experience for our children and learning outside has really helped them to develop their confidence, speaking and listening skills, independence, social skills and much more.
“We have loved watching the children grow and we feel that this has given them the skills needed to take them throughout their school life and we cannot wait to do the forest school adventure again next year.
“The children always bring the skills they have learnt back into the classroom and continue the learning in the school setting. The staff have been absolutely fantastic with the children and the range of engaging activities they have provided have suited the RAPS topics and linked to the Early Learning goals.
“Our children have ended the experience with new friendships, confidence and the drive to learn.”
Parent Naomie, whose son Louie took part in the RAPS forest school project, was impressed with what she found when she visited the site with other parents. She said: “Louie absolutely loved it – he couldn’t wait to get to the forest school sessions. It is a brilliant opportunity for a different way to learn, discover and have fun. It is a great life experience for the children.”
The forest school idea is based on a Scandinavian concept of embracing the outdoors, giving children a wonderful and rare opportunity to enjoy nature and the outdoors in a safe, secure and hands-on woodland environment all year round and in all weather.
The main outcomes the school aims to deliver include confidence, social skills, language and communication, motivation and concentration, physical skills, knowledge and understanding, new perspectives and the ripple effect.
Head of RAPS Nick Budge said: “It is a valuable aid to our learning programme at RAPS. It has underpinned our various teaching methods in a number of ways and it helps inspire creativity and imagination, and motivates communication.”
Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School and Chilton Primary School.
*For more information, contact Mr Budge on 01843 582847