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“I think it is very important to encourage various different creative studies at school. Often students do not know enough about the great variety of creative courses/careers on offer so are not aware of whether it is something they will enjoy doing or not. I also think it is key to provide support and encouragement for those disciplines, like Architecture, that bridge the gap between creative learning and more traditional maths/science/English courses, to inspire students like myself who are looking for something wide-ranging and challenging.” Rachel Sherratt, architect

“I asked a lot of questions at secondary school, perhaps too many, but there is no doubt in my mind that questioning everything around us is essential to understanding the world and our place in it. I discovered early on that I loved trying to solve problems through design and to create solutions better than those that already exist. I have no doubt that the help teachers gave me to work on my projects after school was fundamental to starting such an interesting and enjoyable career.” Dr Reuben Wilcock, electronic designer

"Looking back, there are lessons that I remember, and days and days of sitting and writing, copying, mathsing or whatever, that I don't remember (nor particularly wish to). The moments that remain memorable are when we did stuff; not read stuff. Learning happens from experiences, even bad ones. You learn not to touch fire at an early age because of having had the new experience of a sore hand. Creative subjects give students the opportunity to try things. Not just copying some words or doing a sum. They find out what works for them and what doesn't by trying it out. Being challenged creativity is memorable, though trips, practical work and experimentation." Eric George, web developer

"I think it would be a great idea to introduce students to programs such as Autodesk's Maya and 3dsMax at an early age as they will benefit from the challenge of learning how to use the software and would also be free to design and make (virtually) almost anything they can imagine without huge material costs to the schools. " John Gresko, special effects designer

KLB remains a hotbed of creativity and, if anything, the educational environment it demonstrates is now hugely more focused - as it has had to be. If I had to distill any advice for any aspiring journalists (alongside the warning that today's cut-slashed media is no get-rich-quick career), I'd say specialise: find a niche that means you can call yourself an 'expert'. Above all, don't wait for the media to give you a job: kick their doors down with ideas and leads for stories. If you show the energy and tenacity to unearth a story from under their noses, they'll make the space for you. Simon Hacker - author and journalist