insideKENT Magazine Issue 90 - September 2019 | Page 116

IN ASSOCIATION WITH
EDUCATION
CREATIVITY IS AT THE HEART
OF ALL THAT WE DO
CREATIVITY IS A PROCESS, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE ARTS. IT IS A WAY OF LOOKING
AT THE WORLD THAT ENABLES US TO USE OUR IMAGINATIONS, INTERROGATE WHAT WE KNOW,
MAKE UNIQUE CONNECTIONS AND HAVE ORIGINAL THOUGHTS.
St Edmund’s School Canterbury is a leading
independent school that not only has a strong
reputation for the performing arts but also offers all-
round excellence to all its pupils. The Head, Edward
O’Connor, says, “Creativity is at the heart of our
holistic educational philosophy and permeates
through all that we do; our academic curriculum,
co-curricular activities, enrichment programme, and
pastoral care.
“Our creative approach to teaching and the small
class sizes mean we have the aptitude, skills
and resources to tailor lessons to the needs of
individual children.
“We are child-centred and make sure that our
children are given the time and space to develop
their creative capabilities. We help our children
develop their capacity to think flexibly, to use their
116
imaginations, embrace possibilities rather than
certainties, to use multiple problem-solving strategies
and to handle change with ease.”
The academic life at St Edmund’s inspires a joy of
learning that extends across all departments and
year groups, introducing pupils to creative
experiences and ideas that have the potential to
shape their lives, and encouraging them to critically
consider world issues of political, ethical and spiritual
importance. The school aims to nurture original
thinkers who have a desire to make a difference.
The annual St Edmund’s Festival held at the end of
the academic year clearly demonstrates the school’s
commitment to the arts with outstanding professionals
performing and working alongside the pupils, giving
them unique opportunities to immerse themselves
in the world of performing arts.
And it was very timely on the first day of the 2019
festival that the school heard it has been shortlisted
for the Independent School of the Year Awards 2019
in the category of ‘Performing Arts’. The judges
will make their decision on the winner in October,
but to be shortlisted is a tremendous achievement
and a fitting tribute to the extraordinary work done
by pupils and staff in music and drama across the
school from Pre-Prep to Sixth Form.
www.stedmunds.org.uk