About Us - Creativity Academy

Ben Keaton is a multi award-winning writer, actor and teacher living in Lincolnshire. He has extensive experience on stage and screen. He has worked in the corporate world and at all levels of education.

‘I had the idea for the Creative Academy some years ago. I’ve worked in TV, film, stage, and education for forty years. During that time, I could see that there were valuable principles in the creative industries that could greatly benefit the education sector.

And then I saw this meme:

Very simply put, if we don’t invest in the arts, we won’t have any. At a time when funding within schools has been hit hard, with the arts taking the first cuts, we need to ask ourselves where we see the next generation of creatives coming from.

Then there’s the incredible benefit to children of the creative process. The discipline of making and the joy of doing better the more we create. It can boost confidence, resilience, and our general well-being like no other.

The Creativity Academy is designed to inspire children and teachers. To show them how to love the process so much that it becomes part of their lives. It will employ professional Artists and help young people understand the reality of living a creative life.’

THE CA TEAM

Ben Keaton - founder

I started in music and went from there to theatre, comedy, TV, and film. I’ve won a brace of awards along the way, including 3 Manchester Evening News Awards, the Perrier Award, and an Olivier nomination. I’ve written 6 TV series, plays, and podcast series. Education is a passion. I know that the Arts can change lives. This is what we are setting out to do.

Sue Belton - co founder & TRUSTEE

After completing a First-Class Honours degree in Education, I have taught for 38 years across a wide range of schools in Lincolnshire, St Neots, London, and Nairobi. I passionately believe that the most important role we have as educationalists is to engender a spirit of creativity in our children – a lifelong skill and never more needed than in today’s world.

ROSS HAMILTON - TRUSTEE

The founder and MD of SteamDesk. Ross has been a web developer since the early ’90s. He studied Computer Science to PhD level, so he really is a Website Doctor!

Ross has been involved with the Creative Award from the outset. There wouldn’t be an award without him. In addition to kicking off the website, Ross was our first judge.

Jack Norris - TRUSTEE

Actor, writer, and workshop facilitator. Jack delivers drama workshops within special educational settings. He recently joined Rabble Theatre as a freelance facilitator, and he’s an associate of The David Glass Ensemble. Www.jacknorris.org

Linda RICHARDSON - TRUSTEE

Worked in the health service before becoming one of the first female sales executives in the motor industry. Linda has home-schooled her son to university level.

TOM SHAW - TRUSTEE

As a headteacher, Tom worked with the Creativity Academy and saw the children flourish. Now, as a trustee, he wants to help maximise opportunities for children across the Creativity Academy schools.