Taught by scientists in Psychology and Design, you will focus on what creativity is, how it already exists in teaching the curriculum for excellence, and how it can be nourished to equip children with the best possible educational outcomes.
A recent OECD report on the curriculum for excellence in Scotland highlights creativity as a key transformative skill that should be focused on in the classroom. From psychological research there is a wealth of evidence showing that creativity is linked to positive academic attainment, cognitive ability, and socio-emotional development.
This course provides an understanding of what creativity is and its benefits for learners, how it is already embedded in existing teaching structures and can be nourished to equip future thinkers with tools to succeed in a globally challenging environment.
What will I learn?
By the end of this online course you will have a good understanding of strategic priorities and government policies for enhancing creativity in the classroom, scientific evidence of positive outcomes of creativity and how teachers can encourage creativity, understanding creativity in the classroom that is already present in STEM subjects and can be nourished in existing classroom practice.
A focus will be on small changes and awareness of creativity in the classroom that is already present and can be fostered, rather than brand new add-ons in trying to deliver the curriculum for excellence.
You will learn:
- Underpinning policies: Obtain an overview of the government, OECD agenda, General Teaching Council Scotland’s take on creativity in the classroom.
- Scientific Research: Understand research showing the positive outcomes of creativity and what can encourage creativity.
- Case studies and evidence-based practice: Learn about successful case examples.
- Creative teachers and success measures: Develop a classroom-based activity based on current provision and think of how success can be measured.
- Work and organisational aspects and teacher education: Implementation in the classroom and potential barriers and how to overcome them.
Who will teach me?
Staff involved include:
Entry criteria
Creativity Matters is targeted to both primary and secondary school teachers.
Course dates and duration
2026 dates are still to be confirmed.
The one day course comprises exercises for teachers, together with classroom activities that are evidence-based.
Delivery mode
The course will run online. You will be able to discuss your experiences with other teachers and develop classroom-based activities ready to take back to the workplace. Feedback will be provided on the classroom-based activity based on our empirical knowledge on creativity.
Cost
2026 fee to be confirmed. The course fee was £150 per participant in 2025.
Payment by Invoice
If your employer/school is paying on your behalf and you need to pay by invoice, please complete this form: Invoice Request Form.
Alternatively, email cpd_sas@napier.ac.uk with the course date, course title and names of all those you'd like to register.
We will get back to you with information about how we can facilitate this method of payment and reserve your place(s) on the course.
Register your interest
To be kept informed when new dates for this course are released, email Marketing@napier.ac.uk.