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Today we announced funding of £2,780,000 to build a network of schools that will test a range of innovative approaches to teaching for creativity.

The funding has been generously supported by Freelands Foundation and will be granted to eight lead schools, who will each work with a network of at least a further eight schools. The networks will trial varied methods of teaching that help children and young people to develop their creative capabilities and evaluate their effectiveness.  The pilot will run until July 2024, testing out teaching approaches and curriculum development which can then be applied more widely throughout the education system.

Let's Create packs photoshoot. Photo credit: Wayne Pilgrim

Each Creativity Collaborative will be developing their own specific projects that explore the impact and value of teaching for creativity. Key themes include supporting teachers to develop the skills and confidence to integrate teaching for creativity across their lessons, developing a curriculum that enables curiosity and creativity across all subjects, and how a creative education prepares children and young people to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives.

Nicky Morgan, Director of Special Projects said:

"I’m delighted to see the launch of the Creativity Collaboratives national network where we will work closely with teachers, their school networks and with the wider education sector to test approaches to teaching for creativity which all schools can adopt.

“This innovative work reflects Arts Council’s commitment to reach children and young people across the country and in all phases of education to nurture their individual curiosity and creative potential which we know has a crucial impact on improving their life chances.

“We want to highlight the professionalism and determination of teachers who work so hard to support and care for their students and look forward to sharing their work and the impact of the Creativity Collaboratives programme over the next three years."