Festival of Education 2019 | Headliners announced

Taking place between Friday 12th April and Saturday 20th April 2019, the Wellington College China Festival of Education promises to be the best of what is now an annual event that celebrates, debates and explores education and the place it has in our rapidly changing world. Following the opening event in Shanghai, the festival will then move to Wellington College Hangzhou on 14th-15th April, and to Wellington College Tianjin on 19th-20th April.

The Festival of Education brings together the industry’s most forward-thinking minds, practitioners of change, policy makers, and teachers; at one of the leading forums for thought leadership, CPD and debate.  With more than 40 expert speakers delivering over 90 presentations, talks and workshops spanning seven days and dispersed over three different cities, the 2019 festival is an event that will inspire debate, encourage the sharing of knowledge, and advocate international ‘best practice’.

Whether you are a parent, an educator or someone who is interested in teaching and learning, there is plenty on offer during the festival. 

Headline Speakers | 2019

The Wellington College China Festival of Education never fails to provide an inspiring line-up and this year is no different. Alongside over 20 speakers, we are also delighted to host the following headliners:

Writer, performer and mental health campaigner, Ruby Wax will question her audience on what is it that makes us truly human.

Eminent intellectual, Shakespeare scholar, writer, and broadcaster Sir Jonathan Bate will offer learned insights on the links between wellbeing and literature.  

Director of Culture, one of his many talents is organising art and literary festivals, Dr Stephen Jacobi will talk about technology, academic honesty and what the future might hold for the ways we think.

Inventor of the Leuven Scales for emotional wellbeing, Professor Ferre Laevers, will offer his perspectives on what it means to be properly involved with life.Outstanding novelist, non-fiction writer and broadcaster Ian Merchant will talk about alternative education. Festival returnee Ian Warwick will develop his thoughtful contributions from 2016 and 2017.Having an energetic career spanning 25 years to date in the UK and international education sector,  Dr Helen Wright will talk about 'Driving Social and Global Mobility' and 'the challenges girls face in the world, and how parents in particular can support them'.Dr Davy Guo has been practising as a counselling psychologist at ELG since 2015, as a ‘Third Culture Kid’ himself, he is especially poised to understand the struggles that international pupils and local children in international environments are facing.Dr Eveline Goodman combines her comprehensive academic education with the practical lessons that arise in her life as an internationally operating businesswoman to deliver success. Her specialty – and her passion – is connecting talents and options. Charity Director, photographer and film producer, Bee Gilbert set up a charity called Anno's Africa. She will present 'Gender inequality in education in poor environments'. Learning Support and Dyslexia Therapist, Elis Poh will advise  parents and teachers on the best approaches and provisions to support the development and achievement of the child.  After living in eight different countries across four different continents, Patricia Zayan has acquired a personal understanding of what it means to be a TCK (Third Culture Kid). She will talk about the anxiety about being a 'third culture kid'. 

These outstanding presentations, plus a debate about the possibilities for technology in education, the anxiety about being a ‘third culture kid’, and a host of other important educational issues, will all come together to give the festival a dynamic and diverse character. In addition, negotiations are well under way to bring in other speakers with interesting, unconventional and controversial things to say about education – more news on them when their participation is confirmed.

Tickets are available now! 

The Wellington College China Festival of Education will take place on 14th-15th April 2019 at Wellington College Hangzhou. 

This academic year, there are 3 types of tickets available: 

• Full Festival tickets

• One Day Festival tickets - April 14th (English only)

• One Day Festival tickets - April 15th (Chinese and English)

Please kindly be reminded that all presentations and discussions will be in English only on Sunday, April 14th. Presentations and speeches will be available in a bilingual format on Monday, April 15th.

Book your tickets now!

Extended Reading:

Wellington College International Hangzhou

Wellington College International Hangzhou officially opened its doors to pupils in September 2018, offering a world-class international education for children of expatriate families from the ages of 5 to 18. In Pre-Prep and Prep-School, the College follows the English National Curriculum, which is enhanced through the cross-curricula International Primary Curriculum. In Senior School, pupils will complete the IGCSE and then choose to follow either the IB Diploma Programme or A Levels, depending on their needs. As with all Wellington College schools, the Wellington Values and Identities form the core of the holistic education provided by Wellington College International Hangzhou.

To learn more about the Festival of Education!