Our ACE Junior operation is dedicated to encouraging young children to develop creative thinking skills by hosting a series of regular extracurricular workshops. Creative thinking is more than just a vivid imagination and raw talent in our philosophy. We at ACE believe that creative thinking is the ability to identify obstacles, envision positive change, and employ the required practical skillsets to realise these aspirations. Creative thinking is the catalyst to all innovation and change in the world. Therefore, our commitment to fostering creative thinking is at the core of our practice because we realise the shared importance of investigation, imagination, and ingenuity in every novel venture.

Through ACE Junior extracurricular ‘Making’ and ‘Discovery’ classes, we aim for young children to participate in active and engaging experiences which may enhance creative thinking processes. Implementing such a curriculum at an early age means that through increased exposure to various creative action-based projects and research trips, the children will developmentally incorporate the necessary mental framework by which they may advance problem-solving skills. In addition, the sooner creative thinking skills are established, the more opportunity these skills can be adapted and matured in everyday experiences leading to the growth of a broader, more well-rounded creative individual. 

The ‘Making’ activities are to be classroom-based experiences that are pragmatic and learner-centred. Most of the skills we aim to promote are not in themselves ‘teachable’. However, they are related and developed through experience; through ascertaining the consequences of specific actions, the learner will obtain the resourcefulness and the flexibility needed to figure out the answers to something unfamiliar. The ability to convey one’s ideas to others plays a big part in everyday life. Social aspects of creative thinking are also essential as one may develop an understanding of the actions of others, intentions, and motivation.

‘Discovery’ experiences are excursion based. These off-campus trips broaden the children’s experiences concerning a particular field of study and provide the opportunity for cultural immersion and context-sensitive learning environments. School trips are significantly effective in contributing to a greater interest in art amongst children. Furthermore, the ability to recall specific knowledge is enhanced through association with a particular time and place.

Our ACE Junior curriculum is designed to encompass all of these vital aspects of developmental learning and provide our students with new opportunities to encounter and experiment with new ideas and divergent ways of thinking. From logical thinking and problem solving, to social-mindedness, our curriculum aims to prepare young people for exciting and unpredictable lives by training their ability to think on their feet and respond creatively to any challenge.

The curriculum is only offered in primary schools on a co-curricular basis. It is currently available in a number of primary schools in the UK.