Inspirational Arts Stars are RAPS House Heroes

International stars from the world of art, music, drama and dance are the inspiration for the names of the school house system at Ramsgate Arts Primary.

They are award-winning contemporary artist Tracey Emin who comes from Margate (Emin House); acclaimed dancer, writer and television celebrity Darcey Bussell (Bussell House); broadcaster, actor, DJ, and musician Idris Elba (Elba House); and choral conductor and broadcaster Gareth Malone (Malone House).

And now the captains of each house are writing to the arts luminaries telling them about the naming system and explaining why they were chosen – and they are inviting them to come and see the school first hand.

Head of School Nick Budge said: “We chose the House names to reflect inspirational and innovative people from the arts world. Our children are fully behind the idea and are researching their ‘House Heroes.’”

The pupils have their fingers crossed in the hope of getting a reply, whether it is a letter or online or via email. And they say the icing on the cake would be if one – or all – of the stars found time to visit them so they could show them around their school.

Mr Budge said: “All four are extremely busy people with hectic schedules. Inviting them to come and enjoy a taste of our arts-led curriculum may be aiming high but that is what we do at our school and our pupils are determined to try their hardest to encourage them here.

The children are very aware that Tracey Emin comes from Margate and that she has very close ties with the area and is considering establishing a studio in the town.

Our school has a strong link with the Turner Contemporary Gallery at Margate and we know Tracey Emin is very heavily involved with it too.”

With arts development central to the school, a year-long learning arrangement with the award-winning gallery is under way. Children have already visited the artistic hub many times and worked with the gallery ‘navigators’ which has led to creative model-making and art shows.

Pupils will also visit exhibitions at Turner Contemporary each term during the academic year 2017/18, and the gallery’s Schools Officer is providing information on exhibitions to help teachers plan how they can be used as a spring-board for cross curricular learning.