At Repton School, we believe that, for effective education, creativity needs to be present within all aspects of a primary classroom. So, what does it mean to be creative? According to Sir Ken Robinson, “creativity is the process of having original ideas which have value”.

Creativity can be demonstrated through the use of technology, problem-solving experiments, and allowing children the freedom to explore and express new ideas. It is important for educators to provide these opportunities for our children to gain the necessary skills needed for their future.

Decades of research link creativity with the motivation to learn. When children focus on creative goals, they become more absorbed in their learning and more driven to acquire the skills they need to accomplish it. Children are most motivated to learn when certain factors are present within their lessons, these factors being: they can tie their learning to their interests, they have a sense of autonomy and control over their task, and feel competent in the work they do. Creative projects can meet all three conditions and help children connect new information to their prior knowledge.

Children must become creative problem solvers and it is beneficial for them to have a creative mindset. The world we live in is constantly developing new ideas, concepts and technology, and so, in my opinion, creativity is the most important quality a child can have. A fitting quote from Mary Lou Cook is, “Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun,” therefore the education system at Repton school strives towards all of these aspects to help our children to realize their creative potential.

The creative process is one of the most complex and beautiful parts of being human. It is messy and frustrating, but it is also enjoyable and unique for every individual. Being creative helps us understand ourselves and the world. It’s a natural part of human expression that we should all value and cultivate.

As parents, please encourage your children to be as inspired as possible by surrounding themselves with the right people, new and exciting knowledge, interesting places and access to creative resources. Even simply reading other people’s insights on creativity can be an integral part of staying inspired. It is beneficial for your children to bounce ideas off of each other and create a community around inspiration, creativity and innovation.

– Ms. Natalie Sacks

Head of Year 5