What is creativity? As Gerald Haigh comments (page 10), it’s a word that goes blurry if you stare at it too long. So let’s turn to one of the masters. Albert Einstein said: “Creating a new theory is not like destroying an old barn and erecting a skyscraper in its place. It is rather like climbing a mountain and gaining new and wider views.”
Isn’t that what every teacher wants for their children? Creativity is not necessarily about being artistic, although teachers often confuse the two words. Many of the projects featured in this supplement have brought artists into schools, but it has not been just to teach art. They are there to help broaden both teachers’ and children’s thinking, to develop pupils’
confidence and generally to shake things up. Creativity in school is not just about having beautiful displays, or even messy art-rooms. It’s about empowerment. It’s about feeling safe enough to take risks. It’s about raising standards. It’s about making connections, often between unlikely things. It’s about helping every child - not just the bold ones - to gain new and wider views, especially about themselves.
