Over two days, the Festival of Education hosts over 300 sessions delivered by educationalists from around the world.
Over half of the Festival’s content is selected from our public applications. The Festival Advisory Board is an integral part of this process, helping to ensure our content is relevant to people working in schools and colleges today. The remaining content is curated by the Festival team together with our core content partners.
The application process provides us with an opportunity to discover new speakers and ideas, ensuring a diverse Festival in terms of both content and participants.
We welcome applications from individuals and organisations eager to share their knowledge, insights, and innovative ideas at the Festival of Education 2027.
There are three application routes to speak at the 2027 UK Festival:
For more information, please see:
During November and December, our team will carefully review all speaker applications. Please note that we receive a large number of submissions each year, and with a limited number of speaking opportunities available, not all applicants will be selected.
We are grateful for every application – our speakers are at the very heart of the Festival of Education. Please note, however, that completing the application does not guarantee you a session, and that we do not routinely provide feedback on unsuccessful submissions.
We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your interest in contributing to the Festival of Education 2027.
To ensure a wide breadth of content that reflects the diverse landscape of education, we are seeking applications across a range of categories relevant to schools, colleges, and early years settings. Please see our application guidance for examples of how to choose your main session topic.
We welcome applications in the following categories:
When submitting your speaker application, please ensure you have the following information ready:
Session Title & Description: Provide a title for your session, along with a brief description.
Speaker Information: Include a bio and photo for each speaker involved in the session (up to a maximum of four speakers). If you are applying on behalf of others, ensure you have their permission to use and share their details.
Session Timing Preferences: Let us know if you have any preferences for when your session could take place.
Session topic: Select the appropriate topic for your session.
Editing Your Application: You can edit your application up until the submission deadline.
Accessibility: If you need any support completing this application or need to submit in an alternative format, please contact us at foe@educationscape.com
NB: Partially completed applications will not be considered, so please ensure all required information is provided.
Our panel will assess each proposal against the following criteria, which reflect the values and aims of the Festival of Education. Please ensure your application clearly addresses each of these areas:
If your proposed session is accepted, we will contact you to confirm and update the information we have for your session. At this stage, you’ll also receive a registration link to book your complimentary tickets to the Festival. All successful speakers will receive free two-day access to the Festival for themselves and a guest.
In April, we will confirm the time and date of your session. Your session will be announced on the Festival website, and you will be able to start promoting it to your network.
At the Festival, all speakers will have access to our exclusive speakers’ lounge, where refreshments will be available throughout the day, including lunch.
While we are unable to offer a speaker fee, we do strive to keep the Festival affordable for all. We are pleased to offer a £100 per person travel contribution if required, and we appreciate your understanding in this matter.
The Festival aims to give a platform to a wide variety of voices, and we ask that each person speak in a maximum of two sessions over the two days of Festival. If you are approached to join a panel and you have already been accepted to speak in two sessions, please feel free to suggest a colleague qualified in the subject matter who could take your place.
It is time to apply to speak at the Festival.
Online Application
All applications should be submitted before the end of Sunday 1 November 2026.
Before 23:59
Your application will now be reviewed by the team and the Festival Advisory Board.
Review process
The Festival will inform all applicants about its decision by 15th January 2027.
Check your inbox
If your application has been accepted the team will be in touch and start working with you to prepare for your session. We will also double check that we have the correct information for you.
In April we will start to announce content for the Festival, including your session.
Promotion
The time has come to deliver your session at the 16th Festival of Education.
Wellington College
