Creativity. Are we leading by example?

Encouraging pupils to be creative, to express themselves freely, and to solve problems in innovative ways is at the heart of modern teaching. We want our students to think creatively, to aspire, to question, to test and to collaborate.

But are we modelling these qualities as teachers?

In 2022, the Penryn Creativity Collaboratives (PCC) began work on a project about the importance of teaching creativity in schools, leading to the development of the ‘Preparing for a Creative Future’ framework. This collaboration between school teachers from the primary and secondary sector, creative industry leaders from across Cornwall and the University of Exeter has resulted in two reports so far, both of which highlight the importance of creative skills for young people, who will one day enter a workforce that we can’t currently define.

We know it is perhaps the most important of skills, one that empowers, encourages risk, builds confidence and resilience, so why are we struggling to teach creativity? I’m sure you’ve guessed the answer:

Time. 

‘The need for time was repeatedly noted in order for creativity to flourish, with implications for lesson, curriculum and assessment planning.’ (PCC Report 2023).*  The burden of administrative tasks was cited as the biggest obstacle for schools. In fact, the word used in the report was ‘tension’. 

Where do we begin?

It’s a mental and physical tension, all too familiar for teachers, who cart books and papers from school to home and back again; tapping or ticking little grey boxes because this is just the way we do things. 

And because we’re doing this off the clock, it’s almost impossible to schedule any of our own creative interests - the interests that help us to relax, to feel a sense of accomplishment and to recognise where our job ends and we begin.

It doesn’t start like this. 

You arrive on your first day as a teacher with a full menu of Creativity - delightful recipes to excite the palate of every learner. But too soon you find that the annoying little Admin Mouse, which began by nibbling away at the edges of your favourite creations, has grown into an insatiable Monster, devouring your cookbooks, ingredients and… you, if you’re not careful.

Our obligation

If we all agree that creativity is essential for our pupils’ future success, then we have a moral obligation to remove the obstacles that prevent our teachers from tapping into their inherent creative talents. 

Schools can support teachers by streamlining processes, and encouraging a culture that values innovation over admin. Additionally, teachers should be afforded the freedom to move away from restrictive, pre-packaged planning and resource schemes, providing lessons that resonate with the passions and interests of their students.

We must collaborate - with industry,  organisations (like PCC) and each other - sharing resources, techniques and stories, so that our profession is better equipped to empower the problem-solvers of tomorrow.

Finally, we must remember that creativity for its own sake, in whatever form it takes - music, performance, computing, mathematics, etc. - is where the love of learning resides. If we can’t immediately think of a way to make this part of our daily practise, we’ll have to think creatively.

*  Crickmay, U. Childs, S. Chappell, K. (2024). Preparing for a Creative Future: Year Two Report Question, Build and Test.