How Creativity Can Transform Education

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

— Nelson Mandela

If you’ve spent any time in creative circles, you’ll know that while education has the potential to transform, we’ve been wielding this so-called "weapon" like a blunt instrument for far too long. Instead of empowering students, we’ve been boxing them in, convinced that the tools we’re handing them—endless memorisation, rigid testing—are setting them up for success. Spoiler: they’re not. 

So, it was oddly uplifting to read a recent piece in The Times about the UK Government's curriculum review and the need to rethink our industrial-age approach to education. The current system feels like it’s preparing students for a world that doesn’t exist anymore. Sure, rote learning and exams have their place, but where’s the focus on emotional intelligence, adaptability, and creativity—the skills they’ll actually need in a world that’s changing faster than we can keep up?

Take the Wright Brothers. They didn’t just slap together a plane and hope for the best. They failed—spectacularly. Over 200 times. Their first successful flight was born out of trial, error, and relentless iteration. So why does our education system still reward “getting it right the first time”? Why are we teaching kids to fear failure when failure is, frankly, where the magic happens? 

The opportunity here is enormous. This curriculum review could shift the narrative—away from perfectionism and toward a culture that values creativity, resilience, and problem-solving. Imagine if our schools encouraged students to embrace their inner Wright Brother, to celebrate the mess of learning rather than fear it. 

This isn’t just a school issue; it’s a life issue. In creative industries, we know the best work often emerges from the ugliest drafts. (Trust me, no masterpiece started with, “Ah yes, that’s perfect!”). Businesses that innovate—really innovate—do so by embracing imperfection, learning from missteps, and iterating until they strike gold. Why should education be any different? 

Sir Ken Robinson said it best in his now-iconic RSA Animate talk: education should nurture creativity and individuality, not stifle them. Watching that animation again, I’m struck by how relevant Sir Ken’s ideas still are—and how far we’ve yet to go. The rigid systems he critiqued haven’t disappeared; if anything, they’ve dug their heels in. But this curriculum review? It’s a chance to push forward, to build something that prioritises innovation over conformity. 

This is where our work could make a real impact. At We Are Cognitive, we’ve spent years creating visuals that simplify complex ideas, making them accessible and actionable. Imagine embedding visual thinking into the curriculum—not as a novelty, but as a foundational tool. We’ve seen firsthand how animations like our RSA Animate series can take abstract concepts—empathy, creativity, even complex economic models—and make them unforgettable. By translating ideas into engaging, visual narratives, we can help teachers bring learning to life, making even the messiest topics inspiring and approachable. 

We’re not just talking about pretty pictures; we’re talking about a shift in how knowledge is shared and understood. Visual storytelling has the power to connect deeply with students, showing them how to think critically, approach problems creatively, and see connections across disciplines. It’s a tool that doesn’t just inform—it sticks. 

With our IDEA framework, we’re perfectly placed to embolden this new curriculum: 

• Inform: Let’s give educators the tools to teach critical thinking and collaboration—not just the art of cramming for exams. 

• Develop: Students need skills for life: creativity, emotional intelligence, and resilience. These aren’t “nice-to-haves”—they’re essentials. 

• Enable: Teachers should feel empowered to experiment with new methods, fostering an environment that rewards effort and growth over perfection. 

• Animate: Learning should connect to personal passions. When students see their ideas brought to life—whether through animation, art, or storytelling—it changes everything. 

A Thought Experiment

What if we treated education the way Pixar treats animation? At Pixar, their “ugly baby” concept embraces the messy, awkward first draft—the one with potential buried under rough edges. Instead of rushing to perfection, they refine and iterate until brilliance emerges. What if we gave students the same freedom to experiment, fail, and grow? 

So, here’s a challenge for all of us: the next time you’re faced with a daunting problem—whether it’s a creative block, a tricky work project, or even a tough conversation—lean into the mess. Forget about getting it “right” the first time. Iterate. Learn. Grow.

And as you’re embracing the chaos, take a moment to assess how your organisation approaches communication and collaboration. Are you creating an environment that encourages exploration, or one that penalises imperfection? If you’re curious about where you stand, try the Presentation Pulse Scorecard. It’s a quick, practical way to identify what’s working—and what’s holding you back. 

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Education shouldn’t be about producing perfect students; it should be about cultivating curious, resilient, and imaginative thinkers. With the right tools, we can help make this curriculum review not just a headline but a turning point. Let’s rewrite the script—messy drafts and all.