Young Artists’ Permanent Creative Gallery at RAPS
Creative work by children at Ramsgate Arts Primary is now on permanent display in gallery project.
Creative work by children at Ramsgate Arts Primary is now on permanent display in gallery project.
Walls, corridors and even ceilings are now adorned with a range of images using various techniques to celebrate the artistic heartbeat of the school.
The exhibition space encompasses a central part of the school and builds upon already popular showcases in classrooms, wall displays and the reception area.
Head of School Nick Budge said: “Creative arts is always at the heart of our ethos since the school opened – this latest project encourages our children to show their talents and push boundaries and perspectives with their work, supported by our talented arts creatives.”
The seed for the initiative began last year when pupils worked with artist Flora Parrott on a unique and inspiring whole-school project titled “420 Hands Taking a Line for a Walk”.
It began with a group of Year 6 pupils exploring the work of artists Fiona Banner and Paul Klee. Klee’s famous quote - “Drawing is like taking a line for a walk” - became the central idea that guided the project. Working with Flora through a series of creative workshops, the children began developing an ambitious concept that combined drawing, sculpture, and installation.
Art teacher Kelly Smith explained: “As the project evolved, it expanded to include every child in the school, ensuring that each of the 420 pupils could leave their own unique mark.
“Every pupil created a personalised book, placing their hands on the cover and filling the pages with imagery and symbols that reflected their inspirations, ideas, and identities.
“In June 2025, the children brought the project to life in a spectacular way. Using more than 40 meters of rope and constructing sculptures inspired by Banner’s work - including large-scale punctuation marks such as exclamation points - each class collaborated to create its own sculptural scene. These installations were photographed and filmed by drone, creating a striking and memorable visual record of the children’s creativity.
“The school’s front stairwell has now been transformed into a permanent exhibition space, celebrating the project and the cohort of school leavers who helped shape it.
“The year 2025 was particularly significant, marking the first time RAPS had two Year 6 classes graduate from the school. These pupils played a fundamental role in developing and realising the project, and their legacy lives through the work displayed here.
“A heartfelt thank you goes to Flora Parrott for her vision, energy, and expertise, and to Eddie, one of our wonderful parents, for capturing the project so beautifully through drone photography.
“This term children have been introduced to the newly–installed permanent exhibition area that now displays their work. Not only is this a legacy piece but artwork that every child can say they had an input in.
“They have been mesmerized by the vibrant and captivating images on display and it's lovely to hear them reminisce about the artwork they have created for the exhibition.”
Mr Budge added: “This is a fantastic start for the gallery project – we can’t wait to see what comes next.”
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