Sidcot School has released a video championing the irreplaceable quality of human imagination in the new age of Artificial Intelligence.
The film explores a simple but timely message: as machines become better at generating content, uniquely human imagination becomes even more important.
James Jones, Head at Sidcot, a co-ed day and boarding school in Somerset for pupils aged 3 to 18, said: “AI can remix what already exists, but imagination is where new possibilities begin.
“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 revealed a 13% decline in public investment in culture, while countries including Germany, France and Belgium increased investment over the same period.
Meanwhile, 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.
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 advances, building community and social progress.
The video reflects Sidcot’s long-standing commitment to a broad education that values creativity alongside academic achievement. From art, drama and music to design, new ideas and problem-solving, students are encouraged to explore, take creative risks and develop the confidence to think independently.
Mr Jones added: “The future will belong not only to those who can use AI, but to those who can imagine what comes next. In a world of automation, imagination is a distinctly human advantage.”
You can watch the film here.