Westonbirt School launches pioneering Innovation Mindset Curriculum

10th September 2025

Problem solving is widely recognised as one of the most important life skills. UNICEF highlights these skills as “crucial for personal growth and active citizenship.” But how do we teach our children these essential skills? Westonbirt School has announced the launch of a new curriculum that tackles exactly that, developed by inventor, engineer, and former Dyson Senior Manager Ben Edmonds.

This academic year, Westonbirt’s Year 9 students will take part in a ground-breaking Innovation Mindset Curriculum which promotes problem solving, creative thinking and collaboration.

The ten-week programme is designed to equip pupils with the confidence, creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills needed to tackle real-world challenges. Students will learn to think critically, work effectively in teams, and approach problems with resourcefulness and imagination.

A central element of the curriculum is a collaboration with The Washing Machine Project, a social enterprise that designs affordable, hand-powered washing machines for communities in need. Pupils at Westonbirt will contribute to shaping solutions with genuine global impact – a rare opportunity for 13 and 14 year olds to see how their creativity can improve lives around the world.

Ben Edmonds, who designed the curriculum, explained:

“With the rapid rise of AI, advances in technology, as well as global issues, it’s hard to know what the future will look like. Equipping students with an innovation mindset will provide them the tools to face any future situation full of ideas and self-belief that a solution can be found. Innovation mindset is an approach to life that is useful for everybody regardless of their background or future direction.”

 Subject Lead for 3D Design at Westonbirt, Celia Evans, said:

“This unique project gives students the opportunity to work alongside professional engineers while tackling real-world design challenges in partnership with The Washing Machine Project. Through this experience, students will develop advanced skills in problem-solving, resilience, collaboration and creative thinking. Most importantly, pupils will develop the kind of resourceful creativity needed to approach any situation with confidence, imagination and purpose.”

 Westonbirt’s Headmistress, Natasha Dangerfield, added:

“We are delighted to be working with the energy of Ben Edmonds to support our new innovation mindset approach with our Year 9 Product Design Curriculum. Not only is Ben a force of nature, but combined with the team here at Westonbirt, it will be a force of good which I know will inspire the young minds in the workshop.”

 The Innovation Mindset Curriculum at Westonbirt marks a forward-thinking step in education, equipping young people to face an ever-changing future with curiosity, critical thinking and creativity.