Est 2010 - in the uk
A festival. Not a conference.
How a summer gathering on the lawns of Wellington College became the world’s most joyful celebration of teaching — now on four continents.
One festival, many editions
Born in a marquee on the Wellington lawns.
In 2010, Wellington College asked a simple question: what if professional development for teachers felt less like a conference and more like a festival? The first Festival of Education put world-class keynotes and fierce debate alongside live music, street food and deckchairs in the summer sun.
It struck a chord immediately. Educators came not just to learn, but to be inspired, to argue, to reconnect with why they chose the profession. Sir Bob Geldof christened it “Glastonbury for educators” — and the name stuck.
What we believe
Learning should be inspiring, engaging and fun
Three ideas have guided every edition, from the first marquee to the newest city.
Inspiration first
Open debate
Non-partisan, with no political affiliation. Every part of the sector is welcome and every view gets a hearing.
Community
Thousands of educators, together. The connections made on the lawns last long after the marquees come down.
The journey
One festival, many editions
The first Festival
Wellington College hosts the inaugural Festival of Education — and "Glastonbury for educators" is born.
EducationScape
EducationScape comes on board.
China
The UK, USA, Thailand, China, Netherlands, Spain and India come together at educationfest.global — one global community of educators.
Festival evolves
The UK, USA, Thailand, China, Netherlands, Spain and India come together at educationfest.global — one global community of educators.
Covid
The UK, USA, Thailand, China, Netherlands, Spain and India come together at educationfest.global — one global community of educators.
USA and Thailand
The UK, USA, Thailand, China, Netherlands, Spain and India come together at educationfest.global — one global community of educators.
Netherlands & Spain
The UK, USA, Thailand, China, Netherlands, Spain and India come together at educationfest.global — one global community of educators.
Biggest UK event
The UK, USA, Thailand, China, Netherlands, Spain and India come together at educationfest.global — one global community of educators.
One roof, seven editions
The UK, USA, Thailand, China, Netherlands, Spain and India come together at educationfest.global — one global community of educators.
India
The UK, USA, Thailand, China, Netherlands, Spain and India come together at educationfest.global — one global community of educators.
7
Global editions
1,000+
Speakers across the year
10,000+
Educators attend each year
2010
Founded by Wellington College
Who's behind it
Making it all work, one Festival at a time
Founder
Wellington College Education
Wellington College founded the Festival of Education in 2010, growing it from a single summer gathering into the UK’s largest celebration of teaching – non-partisan and open to the whole sector.
Operator
EducationScape
In 2016, EducationScape took on the operation of the Festival, carrying its founding spirit to editions across Europe, Asia and the Americas. EducationScape are a UK based events and publishing organisation.