We spoke to Johanne Clifton, Director of Curriculum and Development Hon Research Fellow, University of Birmingham about this toolkit and how it should be used.
Creativity is at the heart of learning, transforming classrooms into places where curiosity, innovation, and expression thrive. We’re excited to introduce you to the Elliot Foundation Creativity Collaborative Toolkit, a resource designed to help teachers and school leaders foster creativity in education. Our aim is simple yet powerful: to empower educators across our academy trust and beyond to build a culture of creativity that supports every student’s unique potential.
>> Download The Elliot Foundation Creativity Toolkit <<
A Collaborative Effort for Creative Education
Our Creativity Toolkit is the result of a three-year journey, developed through our involvement in the Arts Council England's Creativity Collaboratives pilot programme. As a network of schools in the West Midlands and East Anglia, we collaborated with creative partners Stan’s Cafe, Open Theatre, and Sampad to explore and redefine what creativity in teaching can look like. We sought to answer questions like, How can creativity enhance teaching practices? How does it improve student experiences? To guide us, we partnered with Dr. Victoria Kinsella-Hadjinestoros of Birmingham City University, whose research provided valuable insights into how creativity can impact both academic achievement and classroom engagement.
This journey has shown us that creativity is not a one-size-fits-all approach but an inclusive, flexible mindset that drives effective teaching and learning. By embracing innovation and inclusion, we aim to expand the definition of what it means to be an effective educator today.
Why Creativity Matters: A Personal Story
My own passion for creativity in education began during my first headship in Birmingham, in a school located in a challenging neighbourhood. Families in the area wanted the best for their children, but we faced unique barriers. I remember a particular project involving a group of children with behavioural challenges who visited a nearby allotment. Initially, the activity wasn’t having the intended impact; it was an “add-on,” rather than an integral part of their learning experience.
However, with a creative shift, we refocused the project to improve Year four writing standards through sensory experiences on the allotment. Students engaged in hands-on learning, and as a result, they not only produced a professional film but also showed remarkable improvements in writing. This success was a turning point for me, demonstrating the power of creativity to re-engage students and raise standards. Creativity became central to my vision for school improvement, not just as an engagement tool but as a core strategy to enhance educational outcomes.
Embracing Creativity for School Improvement
Transforming curricula and pedagogy to embed creativity takes time and commitment. But with this toolkit, built on years of research and practice, we have a clear framework to guide us. By using creative teaching practices, we can reshape our classrooms into spaces that prioritise inclusion, innovation, and deep engagement. And as educators, it’s up to us to be curious, open-minded, and ready to see what happens when creativity is placed at the centre of learning.
Questions to Inspire Your Journey with the Creativity Toolkit
As you explore the toolkit, consider the following questions to inspire and challenge your practice:
- How can I develop my approaches to teaching for creativity?
- What pedagogical strategies could I adopt to encourage creativity in the classroom?
- How can I recognise and give value to creativity in students’ work?
- How can we cultivate a culture of creativity within our school community?
Together, Let’s Foster a Culture of Creativity
Our goal is that the Creativity Toolkit will help you not only implement creative practices in your classroom but also build a lasting culture of creativity throughout your school. By embracing curiosity and fostering creativity, we create an environment where every student can thrive, and where innovation and inclusion are at the heart of education.
Let’s embark on this journey together, transforming our schools into places where creativity isn’t just encouraged—it’s celebrated as a driving force for learning and improvement.