Wellington College – Record Numbers for the 10th Festival of Education

16 Aug 2019

On 20th and 21st June, the educational world descended on Wellington College for the 10th Festival of Education. Record ticket sales, a stellar line-up, and a footfall approaching 7000, made this a birthday to remember.

On Thursday, the G.W. Annenberg, home to the festival main stage for the first time, saw a diverse line-up of speakers, from hip-hop artist and social entrepreneur, Akala, to Baroness Estelle Morris and Lord David Blunkett. Day two saw Gyles Brandreth tapping into a Wellington favourite with his talk on ‘Making “Wellbeing” Happen’. Elsewhere, classrooms, tents and lecture halls hosted seminars on everything from curriculum innovation to cultural mobility. As always, there was something for everyone. As the festival tagline neatly puts it, ‘EdFest’ is the place “where those who inspire find their own inspiration”.

Julian Thomas, as he opened the 10th Festival of Education, said: “At this time of year, at this event, my belief and excitement in education receives its annual booster shot. I see, hear and meet people from all sectors, age ranges, countries and schools coming together with a single common purpose in mind: to make things better; to serve and educate the children of this country, for the future of this country, as well and as effectively as we possibly can. At this time of year all barriers come down. What really excites me is the sense of collaboration, the way in which we work together to create a better system for all. We don’t protect our patch. We give and receive. We listen and we learn from each other”.

Happy birthday, ‘EdFest’!