As the recipient of the 2025 NSW Premier’s Creativity Across the Curriculum Teacher Scholarship, Dr Geoff Gates, Director of Learning and Teaching, embarked on an inspiring journey to explore how creativity can be woven into the fabric of education. From Sydney to London, Barcelona to Paris, Dr Gates visited schools and universities to uncover innovative practices that nurture creative thinking across all subjects.
Dr Gates began his scholarship in Sydney with visits to the University of Technology Sydney’s TD School and the University of Sydney CREATE Centre, as well as International Grammar School and ScotsX. These initial visits demonstrated how interdisciplinary collaboration and student-led exhibitions of learning can ignite creativity. “Creativity flourishes when students are trusted to take intellectual and imaginative risks,” observed Dr Gates after engaging with academics and artists at UTS.
Dr Gates explored vibrant learning environments in the UK—from the BRIT School’s theatre workshops to the Prince of Wales School’s sensory-rich library and Celtic-inspired sleepover hut. At Thomas Tallis School and St Marylebone CE School, he witnessed how whole-school frameworks like the Tallis Habits and Marylebone 5 embed creativity into every subject, from English and Maths, to Dance to Drama.
In Barcelona, the Learnlife conference showcased a reimagining of education, where students navigate their learning through “building blocks” and “labs,” supported by digital portfolios and cross-age collaboration. A highlight of the tour was visiting the OECD Directorate for Education and Skills in Paris, where Dr Gates met with leading analysts in creativity and education. Discussions focused on how education systems can support creative and critical thinking, and how AI might complement human creativity in future classrooms.
Reflecting on his experience, Dr Gates shared: “Creative thinking is not the domain of a few subjects—it’s a mindset that can be nurtured across the curriculum. When schools value both deep disciplinary knowledge and real-world problem solving, students thrive.”
This scholarship journey not only enriched Dr Gates’ own practice but also brought back global insights to inspire educators and students across NSW. A report has been submitted to the Premier’s Office, and Dr Gates’ also hopes to share his experiences at conferences in 2025 and 2026.
A full summary of Dr Gates’ school and university visits can be found at https://creativityinschools.substack.com/