Inspirational classroom professionals, including teachers and heads, will be there alongside policy-makers, educational organisation leaders, bloggers, researchers, students, parents and young people. The day will be a great opportunity for festival-goers to participate in some exciting debates and to get their own voices heard in a friendly, informal setting.
There will be a fresh perspective on trends in education. Participants include Kids Company founder Camila Batmanghelidjh (pictured), former Labour Schools Minister Lord Adonis, known as the architect of the academies programme, Brit nominiee George the Poet, and ‘provocateur with a purpose’ Simon Fanshawe. Also appearing will be Sam Gyimah, Education Minister with responsibility for early years and childcare, Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt, former Education Secretary Estelle Morris, Finland’s Pasi Sahlberg, an expert on school reform, and journalist Toby Young, founder of the first Free School.
The debates will cover wide-ranging topics including: ‘How to be an outstanding teacher’, ‘What’s next for education in London and beyond?’, What does the future of education look like?, and ‘Where can technology take us?’
Away from the set-piece events, there will be informal talks, dance, theatre, music and workshops.
Professor Chris Husbands, Director of the UCL Institute of Education, said: “The London Festival of Education is unique – an urban festival celebrating and showcasing the diversity and achievement of individuals and institutions working in the education sector – especially in London.
“It provides a great opportunity for debating and exploring the range of challenges facing educators as they strive to improve their practice. The festival is open to anyone who has an interest in education: teachers, parents, students, policy-makers. It attracts an incredible array of amazing talent.”
The Festival takes place on Saturday 28 February, at UCL Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, London.