RAPS IN THE NEWS

Children at Ramsgate Arts Primary have been tasked to spend less time on their screens and social media.

The initiative for the Detox Challenge was to reduce the amount of time spent on the activities by 50 per cent during the course of a week.

Victoria Elliott, the school’s Wellbeing Assistant, explained: “The aim of the project was to start a conversation with children about the possible negative impact of spending too much time on computers and other devices and the effect social media can have on mental health and wellbeing.  

“They have also considered the positive aspects as well and thought about using social media in a more mindful way and what they could do instead of looking at their phone or tablet.”

The response from children and families was very positive.

Olivia in Year 4 commented: “I have read more this week, and I have had better sleep,” while Kamsavy in Year 5 agreed and said: “I liked doing other stuff and I am getting better sleep.” Danika in Year 6 added: “It was easier than I thought it would be!”

Feedback from parents illustrated more positive effects from the challenge.

Comments included: “My child has been thinking about how much time they spend on it and consciously has been playing with their toys more.” “My child made a great effort over the weekend and played outside a lot more.” “My child played more with toys and played outside- he has done so well and I am proud of him.”

All the children who took part were entered into a draw for a chance to win a voucher for entry for two people to the Field of Fun at Quex, which was kindly donated by the Quex activity Centre in Birchington. The lucky winner was Zachary in Year 1.

Head of School Nick Budge said: “This was an interesting and important challenge and it was pleasing to see that many children and families found benefits, including the necessary improvement in sleep which is crucial for children’s healthy development.

“We have a robust e-safety system with advice and information at RAPS, and the Detox Challenge worked very well alongside it. Well done to everyone who took part.”

Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School at Broadstairs and Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate.

For more information contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.

Playing a part in their community is important for children at Ramsgate Arts Primary.

So they were eager to help out in The Great Ramsgate Spring Clean as part of their own ongoing environmental awareness campaign.

The young pupils were part of the action organised by town mayor Cllr Raushan Ara and they collected their litter pickers and bags at the Salvation Army HQ and set to work in small groups.

Year 5 teacher Hannah Dannell said: “They were keen to get on with the job, and we were fortunate to have support from their families who joined in as well.

“Our theme in RE lessons at the moment is ‘community’ so we thought this would be a great way to do our bit for the benefit of others and for the area.

“We also got to keep the litter pickers, so we can use them as part of our eco programme at RAPS where we work to keep our own environment clean and tidy.”

Earlier this year, Year 1 pupil Harrison showed his determined support for the school’s ongoing message of ‘caring for the environment never stops’ when he decided to don gloves and bin bags and collect litter on his way home from school.

And Reception children have been finding out about people who are working to save the planet in their People Around the World topic, and have come up with a range of environmentally-friendly ideas. These include share a bath, remember to turn off the taps, lights and heating, walk and cycle more, plant more trees and flowers, pick up litter, and look after the bees.

And pupils across the school are supporting RAPS three Rs ethos – reduce, recycle, re-use.

Deputy Head of School Hanna Beech said: “We believe that if we can help young people understand environmental damage, they can take conscious decisions and actions to protect the planet. 

“From learning about the basics of recycling to understanding renewable energies, by the time our pupils leave in Year 6 they do so with a strong foundational knowledge of how to look after our world and, crucially, why this is so important.”

She explained how RAPS develops awareness and understanding of all aspects of sustainability and recycling: “Our school community values caring for the environment to ensure there is healthy and happy world for future generations to enjoy. “

Throughout their time at RAPS, pupils have the opportunity to learn about the environment in each year group ranging from recycling and litter, through the impact of humans on the environment, deforestation, climate change, pollution conservations, fair trade and renewable and non-renewable energy.

Diversity, ecology and the environment are also ongoing themes from collaborative community projects by RAPS with The National Gallery, Turner Contemporary Gallery, the Newington Copse Project, Dreamland Margate, plus visiting artists and arts leaders in music, drama and dance.

Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School and Chilton Primary School.

*For more information, contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847

A woodland world of discovery awaited young explorers from Ramsgate Arts Primary at the Newington Copse outdoor nature play centre.

Girls and boys from the Early Years classes were captivated by the diverse range of activities delivered by professional artists at the wooded area.

Workshops include making leafy hairstyles with leaves, petals and found objects; creating bug hotels for tiny creatures using mud, straw and bamboo; making seed bombs; making their own 3D model of the copse; exploring the woods discovering wildlife and pond-dipping.

The young visitors from RAPS were enthralled and excited. Loki said: “I really liked the red bug, it's called a centipede," while Maisie added: “I liked making a bug hotel.” Alfie explained: “I touched a worm, it felt squishy.”

Teacher Jess Barnes said: “The children were so engaged in the range of activities on offer. They particularly enjoyed going on a bug hunt around the site; finding a toad and lots of centipedes. They were amazed by how many legs a centipede has.

“They learnt about the different materials they could use to make a bug hotel, thinking very carefully about what each insect needs. The children worked collaboratively to start building a 3D model of the trees within the copse using a range of materials.

“It was a great opportunity for the children to be in nature, exploring the surroundings and being creative in ways they maybe haven’t experienced before.

“They returned to school inspired by the activities and have been using their child-initiated time to try out some of the new skills they have learnt. They are so excited about their trip to the copse.”

Artist and creative producer Nova Marshall from Copse Play said: “The copse is an under-used resource that lies in the community of Newington. It is a hidden gem.

“The idea of Copse Play came about from various conversations that I had with members of the community – families, discussions with teachers, children and young people that attend the local youth club – who all talk so animatedly about the copse, and how much they enjoy the space. Marry this with the evidence that children are getting fewer opportunities to interact with nature, the idea of Copse Play was born.

“The project allows the children to interact with nature in fun and inspiring ways, work with professional artists whilst being immersed in nature creating artwork inspired by what surrounds them.

“The benefits of spending time outdoors improves physical, mental and social well-being and the opportunity to develop an interest in and understanding of nature.”

RAPS Head of School Nick Budge is a firm believer of outdoor learning. He said: “Whenever possible we offer our children the chance to visit new learning environments like the copse and forest schools.

“It is another dimension for their education and shows them from an early age that learning is all around them, not just in a classroom.

“Initiatives like this enhances teamwork, communication skills, problem-solving and decision-making, and is beneficial for our children’s wellbeing.

“We are developing our own outside learning spaces at RAPS with specially designated areas. The project is ongoing and is supported by our Parent Council. The next phase is a kitchen garden.”

​​​​​​​*Copse Play is an outdoor nature play project for children, young people and families who live in Newington, Ramsgate led by aim4 Partnerships CiC and funded by Kent County Council’s Early Help and Preventative Services and in partnership with Newington Big Local and Creative Newington, part of the Creative Civic Change programme.

Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School at Broadstairs and Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate.

For more information contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.

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Children at Ramsgate Arts Primary are creatively involved in an evolving mural on Margate seafront that celebrates black icons.

The young artists aged between 7 and 11 are drawing their chosen icons, after researching historical figures such as America’s ‘first lady’ of civil rights Rosa Parks and Mary Jane Seacole, the British-Jamaican nurse, healer and businesswoman who set up the ‘British Hotel’ for the sick and injured behind the lines during the Crimean War.

Children have also drawn their own portraits of black British icons, ranging from friends and family to sporting heroes and singers such as rapper Stormzy.

Their works are on show as part of the legacy project on the shopfronts under Arlington House that is being led by local artist Ben Connors that celebrates black culture. He is working in collaboration with the People Dem Collective that guest curated the Margate Now 2020 event.

RAPS is the first local school whose young artists contributed to the mural, and art teacher Karen Vost said: “It has been an inspirational project and well-received by the children. They have a strong sense of fairness and have responded thoughtfully to what they have learned about oppression experienced by the black community.

“They have enjoyed reflecting on different black icons and I feel the project has inspired the children to discuss racism.”

In June in the face of growing anti-racist movements worldwide, Ramsgate Arts Primary began campaigning for its own community to understand, discuss and challenge the embedded global problem of racism.

Head of School Nick Budge said: “We believe that providing young people with the knowledge (at an age-appropriate level) to develop an understanding of racism and inequality is fundamental to breaking down the systems that have led to the unjust oppression of BAME people and communities.

“October is Black History Month – but I feel that tackling this in one month isn't enough as it should be integrated in our curriculum along with everything else.”

Mr Budge said RAPS is committed to the following aims:

• Stand together against racism as an anti-racist school. This means we will challenge any overt or covert racism directly and fairly.

• To ‘see colour’, acting pre-emptively to ensure representation of BAME people and communities in our curriculum.

• To evaluate and reflect on our school practices, seeking ways to make sure we do the very best we can

Mr Budge added: “We are already working to ensure that there is a representation of BAME people and communities in all areas of our curriculum and I hope this will become increasingly explicit to the children as time goes on.

“The project at Arlington House and the wider overall arts-driven initiative is crucially important. We hope that the project will be revisited for the next three years and that the black people children draw will become more varied as they learn about different icons and people of importance throughout black British history.”

To find out more about the school’s anti-racist statement and its pledge, go online to www.ramsgateartsprimaryschool.co.uk

Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School at Broadstairs and Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate.

For more information contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.

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