Acclaimed Show Reinforces RAPS Learning

The Year 6 group were captivated by the unforgettable performance of Malorie Blackman’s powerful novel staged at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.

It brought to life the thought-provoking and emotional story of Cameron, a 13 year old boy who undergoes a ground-breaking transplant using the heart of a pig. The play, which balances humour and drama, absorbed RAPS pupils from start to finish.

After the show, the children had the special opportunity to meet some of the cast members at the stage door. The actors were incredibly generous with their time, signing programmes and taking photos with the pupils — a memorable end to a fantastic trip.

Pupils Maeve, Ava, and Emily spoke for the Year 6 group. They said: “It was exhilaratingly good and very funny. The show had an exciting and funny charm. It was a great production and we would watch it again. At the end, we met some of the cast and they were very kind.”

The visit was especially meaningful as the children had already studied the book earlier this year in class. As well as exploring the moral and ethical questions the story raises about using animals in science, the pupils also used it to support their learning in science, focusing on the function and role of the heart.

Their learning culminated in writing their own magazine articles, expressing their opinions about the transplant.

Assistant Head of School Hannah Dannell praised both the performance and the opportunity it provided. She said: “It was a fantastic production — engaging, emotional and thought-provoking. Being able to take children to see live theatre is so valuable.

“Experiences like this not only support learning across the curriculum but also help develop children’s cultural capital, giving them insight into different perspectives and art forms.

“The visit will be remembered not only for its entertainment value but also for its contribution to deeper classroom discussions and memorable, real-world learning.”

Head of School Nick Budge added: “Reinforcing classroom learning with experiences such as this is crucial to our children’s rounded learning development.

“Powerful live Arts engagement such as theatre is an amazing experience can have a profound effect. Our pupils were engaged, moved and inspired by this excellent production. The central question to this story is multi-faceted and certainly made our children think - is it better to have a pig's heart that works, than a human heart that doesn't?”

Pig-Heart Boy was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and adapted into a television series, which was broadcast by Children's BBC in 1999

Ramsgate Arts Primary is part of the Viking Academy Trust with its partner schools Chilton Primary in Ramsgate and Upton Juniors in Broadstairs.

**Contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847