Education Scotland is leading a systematic review of the Scottish curriculum called the Curriculum Improvement Cycle, to ensure it remains up to date and relevant for children and young people. This week we’re focusing on the importance of creativity. In our latest guest blog Richard McKean, Depute Headteacher at King’s Park Primary School in Glasgow shares his reflections on this topic.
I have been a teacher for over 18 years, always weaving creativity into my lessons. After reading Sir Ken Robinson’s Creative Schools, attending talks, and watching online content, I’ve learned that creativity is everywhere. For me, creativity is one of the most important things we teach. I know this from my own school experience in the 80s and 90s, where the most memorable lessons for me were the creative ones. Whether solving a math problem or demonstrating evaporation, creative thinking made those lessons unforgettable.
My thinking on creativity shifted dramatically during the 18 months of COVID. As everyone became problem-solvers and innovators, I saw how creativity helped solve challenges in schools. This inspired me to change the direction of my school. Over the next three years, I researched creative thinking and, with the school team, developed a new approach focused on giving students more creative choice in their learning. However, I worried I had moved too quickly and creative change was too quick. Around this time, I was invited to join the exploration group for creativity as part of Education Scotland’s Curriculum Core Competencies review.
I was honoured to be invited to four creativity sessions organised by Education Scotland. I hoped these sessions would offer a chance to reflect on my own leadership and my school’s creative journey while providing space to listen to discussions on the importance of creativity in education. Each session gave me the opportunity to learn from others’ experiences, helping me better understand the decisions I was making.
The group came together four times, over a year. We sat together and shared our thoughts, fears, worries, passion, excitement, and hope for creativity in schools. One thing everyone unanimously agreed on at each creativity session was that every learner should be taught creativity. I’m grateful for the space these sessions provided for self-evaluation, something educators truly need. They allowed me to reflect on my leadership approach and the learning happening in my school. I believe in the value of listening, and as I always say, “If I listen for one hour and get one thing from it, it’s been well spent.” Each session gave me far more than one takeaway.
The sessions also gave me the chance to look beyond my own school and challenge my thinking. It’s important for educators to step outside the classroom and learn from the world around us. I had the privilege of talking to talented, knowledgeable people from across Scotland, and their stories of creativity were truly inspiring. I learned so much.
The sessions also allowed us to explore what creative learning in Scotland’s future could look like. What stood out to me was how the group’s voices were heard at every stage. After over eighteen years in Scottish education, it’s not always easy to feel listened to at the ground level, but this experience was the opposite.
As we approached the final session and shaped what creative learning should look like in Scottish schools. The group had spent worthwhile hours reviewing Scotland’s current approach to creativity and made suggestions for improvement. Finally, the group had created a vision of creative big ideas and how creativity could feel and look in Scottish education. For me, it’s vital that those who deliver education are empowered to shape it. I’m confident that Scotland’s learners and schools are in good hands, as the creative ideas discussed were outstanding. I was personally inspired by many of the stories shared.
I’ll end with my “why” – the young people in my care. I strive to get it right for them every day. Being part of this group reaffirmed my commitment to developing their creative skills. I know that young people across Scotland are also growing their creativity through the inspiring stories I heard from other group members. Education Scotland now has a vision from a group of wonderfully talented people outlining what creativity in education can look like. I’m eager to see what happens next.
If you are keen to hear and learn more about the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) you might be interested to listen to the Education Scotland Learning Conversations Podcast with Education Scotland Chief Executive, Gillian Hamilton, and Ollie Bray, Strategic Director, on the CIC or read this recent article from TESS Scotland – CfE review: ‘Evolving Curriculum for Excellence, not ripping it up’. You can also visit the CIC Web Portal / Glow Blog and from here sign up for the termly eNewsletter.
