RAPS IN THE NEWS

Bach to the Future took children on a musical journey through time at Ramsgate Arts Primary.

Kent Music’s professional musicians Colin, Graeme and Lori conducted a packed hall of pupils on a sonic trip from the days of Bach around 300 years ago to the present.

They demonstrated the woodwind, string and brass sections of the orchestra and explained how instruments react to sound vibrations whether caused by blowing, plucking, strumming or bowing.

The trio also showed how the most basic of home-grown instruments can be played – a length of hose and a funnel became a brass instrument; a series of straws joined together and played like a rudimentary clarinet; and a broom pole, string and bucket upright bass.

The fourth section of a traditional orchestra is percussion and this was shown on a large screen where performers The Blue Men created a range of drum sounds using different length of plastic piping.

The roadshow included live demonstrations of music from film, TV and musical theatre, and a range of different styles from classical and jazz to popular music.

Richard Davies, Kent Music area manager for Thanet and Canterbury, visited the RAPS show. He said: “This school has quite an extensive music provision and I understand it is being broadened in the coming school year.”

The Roadshow aims to inspire children to learn a musical instrument and to encourage an understanding of just how valuable music is to our world and to our everyday lives.

Head of School Nick Budge said: “The roadshow was brilliant – it had all the pupils enthralled and it really supported the type of learning that we are offering. Music is one of our cornerstone subjects as an arts specialist school and Kent Music is very supportive of what we are achieving.”

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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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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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