A grant of £14,000 from Merchants House of Glasgow is helping to support an innovative partnership between The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) and Castlehead High School in Paisley, Scotland’s first-ever School of Creativity.

Since 2017, GSA and Renfrewshire Council have worked together to develop a unique model that places creativity and design thinking at the heart of learning. Castlehead High School became the first school in Scotland to adopt this approach, encouraging pupils to think innovatively, build confidence, increase attainment and develop the skills needed to thrive in education, employment and wider society.

Research has shown that young people from low-income families who participate in arts activities at school are three times more likely to go on to earn a degree, while also reporting better health and wellbeing. Learning through arts and culture has also been shown to improve attainment in subjects such as Maths and English. Through activities including sculpture, printmaking and creative projects, pupils develop the confidence, problem-solving abilities and behaviours that support success across the curriculum.

The project demonstrates how creativity can be embedded throughout education, helping to raise aspirations and encourage greater engagement with higher education, particularly among underrepresented communities. By fostering ambition, confidence and creative thinking, the School of Creativity is equipping young people with skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

A representative said: “The Glasgow School of Art is incredibly grateful to the Merchants House for their most generous donation towards Castlehead School of Creativity. The unique collaboration and partnership between the Glasgow School of Art and Castlehead High School is strongly supported by having dedicated time from staff which enables this to thrive. The ‘GSA Link Teacher’ is a vital element of the project, working between the School and GSA, informing and supporting the development of a broad range of creative activity for pupils. The funding from Merchant’s House will support this time, to help engage with all year groups across Castlehead and ensure maximum impact for the funding provided. The teacher will be able to start planning for Creativity Week in May, a unique opportunity for pupils to gain creative skills through hands-on projects, building relationships, and exploring diverse career paths.

This is not just about providing access to creative subjects but creativity across all aspects of the curriculum and a key skill sought by employers. The grant will enable the Teacher to prioritise regular opportunities for pupils to participate in creativity out of school and through local and national competitions. Through the partnership with GSA, teachers are embedding sessions in schools, establishing new programmes and events, and giving children invaluable skills and tools for school, higher education, and life itself.”

The Glasgow School of Art is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading university-level institutions specialising in the visual creative disciplines. Ranked third in the UK and eighth in the world for Art and Design in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2026, GSA delivers studio-based teaching and world-leading research across art, design, architecture, innovation and technology. Based in Glasgow and connected globally, the institution continues to make a significant contribution to contemporary society through creativity, education and research.

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