Applications open until 15 December 2026
Ideas with heart. Insights with impact.
Help us bring ‘educating for heart and soul’ to life. Whether you’re an educator, school leader, researcher or fresh thinker, you don’t need a big profile, just a valuable idea, practical insight or experience the profession needs to hear.
THE 2027 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Bigs ideas. Human purpose.
The Netherlands Festival is united by one theme: ‘educating for heart and soul’. In The Hague, the international city of peace and justice, we will explore how education can help people flourish amid global uncertainty and rapid technological change, nurturing character, compassion, purpose and belonging alongside knowledge and skills.
More than half of the programme comes from open applications, bringing fresh ideas, diverse perspectives and new voices. Our review team includes representatives from Edith Stein College, The British School in the Netherlands, the International School of The Hague and Lucas Academy. Together, they select practical, engaging sessions that bring the theme to life, while the Festival team curates the remaining programme with our core content partners.
Applications are reviewed in January, with decisions announced in February. Places are limited, so we cannot select every applicant or routinely provide feedback.
Hannah Miller speaking at the UK Festival 2026.
Who can apply
Anyone with something worth saying.
The Festival has no political affiliation or ideology. We programme for the whole of education.
Classroom teachers
The practice that works in your classroom, shared with people who'll use it on Monday.
School & trust leaders
Decisions you've made, what they cost, and what you'd do differently.
Researchers & academics
Evidence translated into something a busy practitioner can act on.
Students & young people
The view from the other side of the desk. We always want more of it.
Session topics
Twenty-one categories, one Festival.
To reflect the diversity of education in the Netherlands, we welcome applications covering early years, primary, secondary, vocational, higher and international education. Please select one main topic for your session when submitting your session.
AI & Education Technology
Assessment & Feedback
Behaviour & School Culture
Business Support
Citizenship, Sustainability & Global Learning
Curriculum & Subject Knowledge
Early Years Education
Flourishing
Inclusion & Additional Learning Needs
Leadership & School/Trust Management
Literacy
Multilingual Learning & Language Development
Oracy
Primary Education
Research Into Classroom Practice
Secondary Education
Student Voice & Participation
Teacher Development & Coaching
Teaching & Learning
Vocational & Higher Education
Wellbeing
Before you start
What you'll need.
Session title and description
A title for your session, along with a brief description.
Speaker information
A bio and photo for each speaker (up to four). Applying on behalf of others? Make sure you have their permission to share their details.
Session topic
The main category your session belongs to, from the list above.
You can edit your application up until the submission deadline. Partially completed applications will not be considered.
Need support or an alternative format? Contact foe@educationscape.com.
How we choose
Review criteria.
Clarity of description
Are the title and description well-written, in language that's professional and accessible to non-specialists?
Quality of content
Is the session grounded in strong theoretical, empirical or practice-based foundations?
Relevance of content
Does it address current or emerging trends, or make an original contribution to the discourse that's relevant to our audience?
Speaker expertise & credibility
Does the applicant have relevant experience that suggests they could deliver a valuable session on this topic?
NEXT STEPS
The speaker journey.
Apply
By 15 December 2026
Submit your application. Edit any time before the deadline.
Review
January 2027
The review team look at every application.
Confirmed
February 2027
Time and date confirmed, session announced on the website - start promoting it.
Festival
11 June 2027
Deliver your session at the heart of The Hague, Edith Stein College.
Free one-day pass
All successful speakers receive complimentary two-day tickets for themselves and a guest.
Speakers' lounge
Exclusive access with refreshments throughout the day, including lunch.
Travel contribution
The Festival aims to give a platform to a wide variety of voices; each person may speak in a maximum of two sessions. If you’re approached for a panel and already have two sessions, feel free to suggest a qualified colleague in your place.
Ready to apply?
Our speakers are at the very heart of the Festival of Education. Applications close 15 December 2026.