RAPS IN THE NEWS

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.

There are still places available book now to avoid disappointment!!!

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.

Please read attached document at bottom of page.

Young artists at Ramsgate Arts Primary School are looking closer to home for their artist of the term. As well as focussing on historical and contemporary artists from around the world, the arts specialist school also seeks to support and highligh

Click the attached letter below to read.