Sidcot School Launches Powerful New Film Celebrating Imagination in the Age of AI

At a time when artificial intelligence is transforming how we live and work, Sidcot School has released a bold new video championing one of humanity’s most valuable and irreplaceable qualities: imagination.

The film comes amid growing concern about the continued underfunding of arts education and cultural provision across the UK, while employers and educators increasingly identify creativity, innovation and original thinking as essential skills for the future.

Through striking visuals and the voices of young people, the video explores a simple but timely message: as machines become better at generating content, uniquely human imagination becomes even more important.

“AI can remix what already exists, but imagination is where new possibilities begin,” said James Jones, Head at Sidcot School. “The ability to dream, create, question and see the world differently is what drives progress. We believe schools have a responsibility to nurture those qualities.”

The release follows recent evidence highlighting the challenges facing arts education and cultural funding. A 2026 review commissioned by the UK Government found that the UK has seen a decline in public investment in culture compared with many European nations, with culture spending per person falling by 13% between 2010 and 2022, while countries including Germany, France and Belgium increased investment over the same period. [gov.uk]

Meanwhile, new analysis of local authority budgets reported that local government arts funding across Britain has fallen by 55% since 2010, with council arts spending in England declining by 61% in real terms. [equity.org.uk]

Yet the case for creativity has never been stronger. Employers across sectors increasingly seek people who can innovate, communicate, solve complex problems and generate new ideas, skills that are closely linked to engagement with the arts and creative practice.

Sidcot’s new film challenges the narrative that creative subjects are optional extras. Instead, it argues that imagination is ‘what matters’ – sitting at the heart of scientific discovery, technological innovation, building community and social progress.

The video reflects Sidcot School’s long-standing commitment to nurturing the whole person through a broad education that values creativity alongside academic achievement. From art, drama and music to design, innovation and problem-solving, students are encouraged to explore ideas, take creative risks and develop the confidence to think independently.

“The future will belong not only to those who can use AI, but to those who can imagine what comes next,” added James Jones. “In a world of automation, imagination is a distinctly human advantage.”

The film is being released as part of Sidcot School’s wider celebration of creativity and its belief that education should prepare young people not only for employment, but also for meaningful, thoughtful and imaginative lives.

Watch the film here.

Notes
• Sidcot School is a leading co-educational day and boarding school in Somerset for pupils aged 3 to 18.
• The school’s educational approach is grounded in Quaker values and encourages curiosity, creativity, courage and independent thought.
• Government-commissioned analysis found UK culture spending per person decreased by 13% between 2010 and 2022, contrasting with increases in several European countries. [gov.uk]
• Research published in 2026 found local authority arts funding across Britain had fallen by 55% since 2010. [equity.org.uk]

Media Contact:
Sarah Simms/Becky Pimm
marketing@sidcot.org.uk
+44(0)1934 845238