The Hidden Curriculum: What Life Teaches Us Beyond the Classroom

Some of life’s most essential lessons happen elsewhere – through art that moves us, travel that humbles us and conversations that open our eyes to new ways of being. This is what we call, ‘the hidden curriculum’. To us, it’s the knowledge tucked into a post-match handshake, a night at the theatre, a solo trip abroad or a conversation shared over food. These moments can shape us just as powerfully as any academic syllabus, yet they are often overlooked in traditional learning environments.

We learn in theatres and galleries, on pitches and stages, and through the rhythm of everyday life.

Consider sport.

You might sign up for lacrosse or football for fitness or fun, but you walk away with far more: teamwork, accountability, leadership and the power of shared goals. You learn to handle pressure. You learn how to win humbly - and lose gracefully. Think of rowing – the early morning starts, the cold and the silence between teammates as they chase synchronicity. Character is shaped in those moments, in a way that must be felt to be understood.

Now think about art.

There’s an exhibition currently running in London featuring the work of Utagawa Hiroshige, the 19th-century Japanese artist renowned for his ukiyo-e (woodblock prints). This collaborative art form involved separate master carvers and printers bringing his visions to life. A casual visitor might simply admire the serenity of his landscapes - the delicate detail of rain, mountains or bridges. But linger a little longer and you’re transported to Edo-period Japan. You begin to grasp the technique, the cultural context and the harmonic craftsmanship each piece demands. Two quiet hours in a gallery and you leave more informed and enriched, perhaps without even realising it.

What about literature?

For many, it’s our first window into lives beyond our own. Through novels, poetry and memoirs, we inhabit other minds, walk unfamiliar streets and fall in love with people we will never meet. Literature is where empathy begins. For many, it was our first love – a doorway to countries we’d never heard of, and access to wisdom we hadn’t yet earned.

And now travel.

Perhaps the richest classroom of all. Whether crossing borders or simply trying unfamiliar food in your own city, travel teaches adaptability. You observe quietly, listen actively and respond respectfully. You become more at ease with discomfort. You grow.

Why Isn’t This Prioritised?

Because it isn’t easily measured.

Because you can’t put empathy in a spreadsheet.

Because the modern education system was built in the industrial era, designed to produce workers, not thinkers.

 We’ve inherited a model that prioritises uniformity over imagination, and academic achievement over emotional intelligence. Within this system, the humanities and creative subjects – art, literature, drama, music – are often treated as optional or somehow less important than science and maths.

There are, of course, structural reasons for this. STEM subjects tend to lead to more stable, higher-paid careers and align neatly with standardised testing and workforce pipelines. But when we sideline the very subjects that add nuance, meaning and beauty to life, we do more harm than good, especially to young minds.

The humanities and artistic disciplines teach us to question, interpret and feel. They develop our capacity for empathy and self-expression. In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and automation, our humanity is not a distraction – it’s a necessity. In spite of this, the UK is currently seeing major cuts to arts and humanities funding, particularly in higher education. Courses in performing arts, design and music are being defunded in favour of more “practical” disciplines.

These decisions send a clear message: creativity is expendable. Culture is a luxury, not a necessity.

We believe the opposite is true.

As author David Epstein writes in his book Range:

“We are often taught that the route to expertise is to start early, focus narrowly, and rack up as many hours of deliberate practice as possible. But the research shows that people who think broadly and embrace diverse experiences are often more creative, more agile and, ultimately, more successful.”

We see this as being the true power of the hidden curriculum. It creates rounded individuals who can think beyond what they’ve been told and connect dots that others don’t even see.

Democratising the Hidden Curriculum

Historically, access to experiences such as galleries, travel and philosophy – even leisure – was reserved for the upper classes. The freedom to explore without urgency was a privilege.

But what if we brought that access to the forefront?

At The Three’s Club, we believe culture, education and lifestyle are not separate pursuits, but one continuous journey. By democratising cultural enrichment and giving more people permission to explore, create, question and play, we don’t just nurture better individuals – we build a more imaginative, empathetic and capable society.

When more of us try more things, more of us succeed.

So What Now?

If we know that some of life’s most transformative lessons live outside the classroom, let’s honour them. Let’s seek them out. Let’s make space for them in our daily lives.

Go to the match.

Visit the exhibition.

Take the trip.

Ask the question.

Make the mistake.

Pay attention.

That’s where the hidden curriculum lives.

And it’s teaching us everything we need to know.

Join Us

Our mission is to create intentional experiences that reconnect people with the joy of learning, living and imagining differently. Come to a supper club, follow along with our journal or simply stay curious. The hidden curriculum is always teaching – we’re just here to help you pay attention.