Thanks to the support and vision of Wellington College International, the first ever Festivals of Education in both the USA and Thailand were launched to great acclaim at the end of 2023.

In the USA, The Bridge and Lsect joined forces with the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (CTTL) at St Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland, to bring the inaugural Festival to US educators. Professor Daniel Willingham opened the Festival and captivated a packed hall with a superbly structured session on “Helping students regulate their own learning”.

Renowned experts on the US education scene such as David Steiner, Meg Lee and Patrice Bain, complemented Evidence Based Education’s 5 sessions on Great Teaching, Inner Drive’s Cognitive Science strand, and some Wellington sessions including one from Wellington College China’s inspirational founder, Joy Qiao.

Roberto Rodriguez (US Assistant Secretary of State) in conversation rounded off the day in appropriate style and with great optimism for the future: how refreshing it was for the audience to hear such passion, positive intent and such a high level of knowledge about education.

In Thailand, Wellington College International School, Bangkok, was the host venue. Jassa Ahluwalia, the actor, writer and public figure, delivered an extraordinarily moving, inspiring and impactful keynote to open the Festival, on the subject of identity. His #bothnothalf approach to describing his mixed heritage had particular resonance with the international school community, setting the tone for an extraordinary day. Inner Drive and Evidence Based Education provided highlights here too, with a different mix of sessions to the USA. Among many others, Cindy Adair, Stuart Kime, Lynsey Briek, Shane Leaning, Gift Nisanart Dharmageisirattana and Wellington’s Head of Sustainability, Ana Romero, all provided insightful, grounded and deeply thought- provoking sessions, that were especially well- received by Festival attendees.

In both locations, the feedback from festival- goers was overwhelmingly positive. The quality of the speakers, panels and content; the festival vibe and the way in which educators from a whole range of schools were made to feel that they truly belonged at the Festival, were all highlighted by those who attended. There is great potential and appetite for these events to grow into something similar to the Festival at Wellington UK.