We are delighted to announce that The British School of Barcelona will host the inaugural Festival of Education Spain at our BSB Castelldefels campus in June 2026, marking the Festival’s Continental Europe debut. This is a milestone not just for BSB, but for the wider education community in Spain and across Europe.

The Festival of Education is a globally respected event that celebrates the best in educational thinking, innovation, and professional growth — and we are proud to bring this extraordinary experience to our region for the very first time.

A Festival of Learning, Inspiration and Connection
Inspired by the successful UK model and other international editions, the Festival of Education Spain will offer a dynamic programme of keynotes, debates, and workshops, delivered in a festival-style atmosphere designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and collaboration.

Content will be available in English, Spanish and Catalan, welcoming teachers, school leaders, education policymakers, innovators, and support staff from diverse contexts and backgrounds.

According to Chief Executive of EducationScape and Festival Co-Director, Shane Mann, ‘It’s a chance to celebrate the work of educators, while connecting with international thinking and practice. The Festival has always been about bringing people together to share, reflect, and grow — and now we’re proud to extend that spirit across Europe.’

Highlights from the agenda
Our first four Festival Keynotes set the tone for an inspiring and thought-provoking programme:

  • Francesca Martínez will challenge ideas of ‘normal’ with her trademark wit and insight, bringing powerful perspectives on inclusion and diversity.
  • Geoff Barton will explore the vital role of oracy and the power of speaking and listening in education.
  • Owen O’Kane, bestselling author and psychotherapist, will share practical strategies for strengthening mental health, resilience and wellbeing.
  • Joining us from the United States, Richard Culatta will examine innovative learning and how to build healthy digital cultures in schools.

You can find the complete agenda and speakers programme here.

A Proud Moment for BSB
Our BSB Castelldefels campus, a modern, purpose-built learning environment just outside Barcelona, provides the ideal setting for this landmark event with its excellent facilities, coastal location, and welcoming community atmosphere.

Hosting the first Festival of Education in Continental Europe is not only a milestone for our school — it is also an opportunity for BSB educators to contribute directly to the international professional dialogue.

We are especially proud that four BSB staff members will be leading sessions during the Festival, sharing initiatives that are deeply embedded in our curriculum and school culture:

  • Neil Tetley, Executive Principal, will co-present Driving Whole-School Sustainability Through Strategic Action, highlighting how strategic leadership can embed sustainability across an entire school community.
  • James Petrie, Assistant Executive Principal, will deliver Helping Your Pupils Find Their Voice — A Guide to Introducing a Whole-School Approach to Oracy, showcasing BSB’s commitment to empowering student voice.
  • Marija Kovac, IBDP Coordinator & TOK Teacher, will co-lead Wellbeing, Belonging, and Coaching Cultures: The Soil Beneath Learning in Living School Systems, exploring how relational cultures underpin meaningful learning.
  • Margarita Sardá Frouchtman, Teacher of Psychology & Educational Psychologist, will present Emotional Intelligence for Life — 7 Steps for Living Together with Respect, focusing on the essential role of emotional intelligence in education.

These sessions reflect BSB’s leadership in sustainability, oracy, wellbeing, coaching cultures and emotional intelligence — key pillars of our educational philosophy and daily practice.

Tickets for the Spain Festival of Education in Barcelona are now on sale
The Festival offer a range of ticket options to make the event accessible to educators from across Spain and beyond. Whether you’re attending individually, with colleagues, or as part of a school group, there’s a ticket option to suit you.

Secure your spot here.