On Track With Rail Safety
Children from Ramsgate Arts Primary are on the right track when it comes to learning about railway safety.
Pupils from Year 5 took part in a series of workshops, fun learning and interactive activities on a visit to Margate Railway Station.
The message they learned was straightforward and simple – be safe and be vigilant at all times near the railway.
The first workshop took place in a purpose-built studio that used real tracks in a safe environment to educate the children about the dangers surrounding the railways, including the risks of trespassing.
They also watched an informative video which included some scary near-misses of people not being safe.
Interactive learning included being asked rail safety questions in which pupils had to run and quickly touch the correct answer on a display.
They also learnt about the different tools used for fixing the lines and were able to try and lift them to see just how heavy they are.
Assistant Head of School Hannah Dannell said: “We also walked around the station, learning how to buy a ticket, find out information and to stay behind the yellow safety line markers.
“However, perhaps the best part was when a train was approaching and we got the driver to honk the horn for us.
“The whole trip was really beneficial and the children learnt a great deal. The staff were brilliant and the workshops were engaging.
“It is really important for our pupils to learn about rail safety especially as they
get older, and become more independent.
“It is a great educational resource that Network Rail and Southeastern are offering through these workshops that help prevent trespassing and keep children safe.”
Ramsgate Arts Primary School is a member of the Viking Academy Trust together with Upton Junior School, Broadstairs, and Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate.
For more information contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847.
Children and families at Ramsgate Arts Primary have worked together to create a giant mural that celebrates sea life and the shoreline.
She said: “Our children and families came together to create a large-scale drawing based on sea flowers and marine life. They then had the opportunity to use a variety of bold, bright colours to create a large scale art piece.
Head of School Nick Budge described the Big Draw project as “an important event for our school community.” He added: “There was a lot of support from our families and it was great to see them working together. The mural is colourful, bright and bold and we hope to put it on display in the school to celebrate the success of our Big Draw initiative.”
The work of acclaimed street artist Banksy and conceptual artist Barbara Kruger are inspiring creative children at Ramsgate Arts Primary.
whole range of themes including littering, looking after our planet and animal cruelty. 
Head of School Nick Budge was impressed at the diversity of entries for the competition. He said: “Using two prominent and focussed artists as a basis for their work certainly encouraged our children to produce a raft of thought-provoking images.
Classrooms and the library at Ramsgate Arts Primary are gaining a new series of books thanks to the generosity of staff and shoppers at the Tesco superstore at Westwood.
Pupils already have their sights set on the visit. Sophie in Year 4 said: “I would really like to get some more David Walliams books as he is our author of the term and my class are really enjoying reading his books.”
Ghoulish games and creepy creativity gave young children a Halloween to remember at Ramsgate Arts Primary School.
learning while in the outdoor play area there were different kinds of sensory and art challenges. They also enjoyed role playing such as making gruesome food concoctions in the kitchen or making spells using the colourful mud in the mud kitchen.
Acclaimed illustrator Neal Layton has inspired children at Ramsgate Arts Primary to make their own storybook creations.
to create interesting scenes using collaging. He also did a live draw of the character Stanley, which he has kindly gifted to the school.
The pupils also joined primary schools from across Thanet for Children's Book Show at St Lawrence College. Mr Cialis added: “This was an amazing opportunity for the children to celebrate books and learn more about the process that goes in to creating a picture book. The children who attended the show also received two free books.”
and the Bug (2004) which won both the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Bronze Awards.
Music plays a key note in learning at Ramsgate Arts Primary.
Kelly Smith’s debut project as new art teacher at Ramsgate Arts Primary was a tribute to “our inspirational Queen.”
Head of School Nick Budge said: “The work for the display montage is representative of girls and boys of all ages. It was painstaking created, with work beginning within days of the announcement of Her Majesty’s passing. Over the weeks it has come together a fitting memorial.
Armed with litter pickers and rubbish sacks, a group of children from Ramsgate Arts primary have been clearing up their town.
“As they progress through our year groups our children become actively aware of how important it is to be responsible ranging from clearing rubbish and recycling through to the impact that humans have upon the environment, deforestation, climate change, pollution, fair trade, and renewable and non-renewable energy.”
There’s no time for siesta when it’s time for fiesta – that was the message to invited guests for a tasty Mexican feast created by young chefs from Ramsgate Arts Primary.
children worked under the expert guidance of Newington Community Chef Mike Spackman in the kitchens at the town’s Royal Harbour Academy.
After each day, the pupils shared their latest creations and discussed what went well and what they had enjoyed. After the Thursday session, they voted for their favourite dishes to create a mouth-watering menu for Friday's feast.
enjoy the cuisine of offer - it made the whole project worthwhile.”
“In the main, they have been willing and eager to explore new flavours and textures. Ingredients that were a mystery at first have now become far more familiar.
Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate, and Upton Junior School, Broadstairs.