Our 2025 Education programme was packed! This year we welcomed former prime minister of New Zealand Dame Jacinda Ardern to speak to 500 sixth form students and our Autumn programme featured authors including Emma Carroll, MC Grammar, Paterson Joseph and more.
Scroll down to see some of the highlights from our Pre-Festival School events
MC Grammar on ITV
2025 Highlights!
Jacinda Ardern comes to Wimbledon!
We welcomed the Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern for the UK schools launch of her memoir. The event brought together over 500 sixth form students from 21 schools across the city, who asked incisive questions on climate change, leadership, mental health, inclusion, and more. The event was run in partnership with University of Roehampton and books were funded for all the state school attendees by Wimbledon High School and the GDST.
New Wimbledon Theatre
Our 2025 Word Up Programme started with a bang! We welcomed Nadia Shireen, Stephen Mulhern, MC Grammar and Emma Carroll to New Wimbledon Theatre for events attended by over 2000 students and 20 schools including our 2025 Young Writers Competition Prize-Giving. Check out our Gallery for more pictures.-
Nadia Shireen tells us about the world of her Grimwood series
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Britain's most magical entertainer Stephen Mulhern
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Emma Carroll joined by students to act out characters in Dracula & Daughters
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MC Grammar challenges the teachers to a Rap Battle!
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Book signing with Nadia Shireen
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Book-rapping sensation MC Grammar
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Overall winner Ana Gumende with Chair of Judges Dr Amy Waite
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Junior winners with authors Eve Wersocki-Morris and Emma Carroll
Autumn School’s Programme
Over 5000 students came to our Autumn School’s Events, featuring authors Liz Pichon (below), Paterson Joseph, Dr James Greenwood, Jamila Gavin and Christopher Edge!
