New Modes of Thinking
The Emergence of Awe Curriculum is born from a single conviction: the world needs a new kind of education — one that develops creators and critical thinkers.
Our technologies are advancing exponentially, but our institutions, our education systems, and our modes of thinking remain rooted in the past. We are innovating technological power at an exponential pace, but our minds remain shackled to the modes of thinking of previous generations.
The Emergence of Awe Curriculum exists to break those chains. Not through ideology, but through what Will and Ariel Durant described as the only real revolution: ‘the enlightenment of the mind and the improvement of character.’
We deliver a seven-year curriculum for secondary schools (Years 7–13) that cultivates deep thinking, ethical reasoning, systems awareness, emotional literacy, and responsible leadership. Each year builds on the last, guided by a coherent philosophical framework. Students graduate not with a fixed ideology but with something far more valuable: a flow mindset — the capacity to seek empathetic solutions, embrace uncertainty, and act with moral courage in a complex world.
The Team Behind The Curriculum
Benedick Ashmore-Short
Co-Founder
Benedick Ashmore-Short is a deeply compassionate and dedicated leader at the helm of Prometheus Schools, a family of schools committed to providing unparalleled education to children. With a heart firmly rooted in the education sector for over twenty years, Benedick’s journey is marked by his unwavering commitment to elevating school performance and ensuring excellence for every pupil. Holding a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Economics, he is dedicated to the advancement and betterment of education.
Benedick’s approach is characterized by a sincere care for the holistic well-being of children—prioritising their emotional and social growth alongside academic success. Having led over thirty schools as Headmaster, Director of Education and CEO, he is renowned for his expertise in the development of teaching and learning, curriculum development, financial restructuring, and curriculum-led financial planning.
Benedick’s recognition as the Pearson Headteacher of the Year in 2014 celebrated his inspiring leadership and his commitment to inspiring educators and students to achieve their full potential. Benedick works with Ambition School Leadership and other entities to foster and mentor the next generation of educational leaders.
Hayk Sarkissian
Co-Founder
Hayk Sarkissian was born in Armenia and grew up in the UK, studying in City of London School and Westminster School. He began his career in corporate law, where he qualified as an English Law corporate solicitor at Allen & Overy LLP (now A&O Shearman) in the UK and Hong Kong. Hayk holds a BA from London School of Economics and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
In 2015, Hayk founded Revery, an international investment firm investing and operating in food & beverage production and distribution, venture capital and real estate. Revery Food & Beverages division owns and operates US and European franchises in emerging markets in beverages, snacks, quick service restaurants and retail businesses. Revery Capital, is the venture and real estate arm of Revery with investments focused on transformative technologies including food-tech, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and longevity. As Founding Manager, Hayk has positioned the firm to identify early-stage, tech-focused businesses with significant growth potential that can impact systems changes.
In 2025, Hayk co-founded Still Point Pictures, a film production company that invests, produces and develops independent commercial films that reflect timeless and transcendent themes in an entertaining fashion, whilst furthering the attainment of knowledge, the exploration of life and the search for truth.
In September 2025, he published his first book The Emergence of Awe, which explains his philosophy on how we can reimagine human progress for the 21st century, including for education.