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Latest News
WCE Forum 2026 Explores Human Flourishing in the Age of AI
2026-06-08
As machines grow increasingly capable of what only humans once could do, what is education for? This was the driving question at the Wellington College Education Forum 2026, held this year at our Wellington College International Shanghai campus—the first time the Forum has convened outside the UK.
The day brought together leaders, partners and educators from across the Wellington College Education family of schools for strategic dialogue shaped by a single ambition: to be the most admired and innovative family of schools in the world. Two themes defined the programme—Human Flourishing in the Age of AI and the Power of the Network.
Reimagining
the Purpose of Education
The morning opened with welcome remarks from our Chair, Joy Qiao, and Sir Anthony Seldon, Founding Director of Wellington College Education, who set the tone by challenging us to reimagine education's purpose in a time of rapid technological change.
Our answer to that question is human flourishing. It is why we are partnering with Michael Stevenson of the OECD, now the Founding Director of The Wellington Institute of Human Flourishing, to develop a framework that moves beyond economic preparation and cultivates five essential competencies: the ability to understand and appreciate the world deeply, to act ethically within it, to solve problems adaptively and to engage with ethical complexity.
These capabilities—rooted in wisdom, empathy and critical thinking—remain distinctly human even as technology advances. They prepare young people for meaningful lives, not just productive careers.
AI: A Catalyst,
Not a Threat
This set the stage for Rethinking School for an AI World, a compelling keynote from Rita Bateson of Eblana Learning. She discussed how generative AI is reshaping learning, assessment and the future of work. Rather than viewing this as a threat, we see it as a catalyst—one that clarifies education's higher purpose. Technology amplifies human intent. The question is: what intent are we cultivating?
A subsequent session introduced the WCE AI Institute, which will guide the organisation's leadership in this space, ensuring that innovation remains both ambitious and ethically grounded.
The Power of
Our Growing Network
We were also delighted to hear from Colette McWilliams, Founding Head of Hiba Academy Bay Area, and Melissa Meyers, Founding Head of Wellington College Independent School Jakarta, who introduced the newest schools joining our global network. Both are powerful reminders that this vision continues to evolve.
Wellington College Independent School Jakarta
Hiba Academy Bay Area
The afternoon turned to the strength of the Wellington College Education network, with each school contributing actively and creatively to the collective endeavour. Strategic reflections from Sir Anthony Seldon and Paresh Thakrar, Managing Director of Wellington College International, highlighted a shared vision, space for local innovation and a culture of continual improvement across the family.
Breakout sessions then enabled partners and school leaders to shape the strategic plan for 2026–27, with a strong focus on broadening collaborative opportunities for pupils and staff and sharing best practice on higher education pathways.
The Work
That Continues
As AI capabilities accelerate, this moment demands educational leadership that is both ambitious and ethically grounded. It requires us to build cultural bridges, foster mutual understanding and equip young people with the tools they need to thrive amid complexity and change.
No single school can navigate this transformation alone—but together, as a family of schools sharing practice and learning from one another's innovations, we can shape something more resilient and more visionary than any institution working in isolation.
That is why we gathered, and that is the work that continues.
Copyright @ 2026 Wellington College International Shanghai. All Rights Reserved.
最新资讯
Latest News
WCE Forum 2026 Explores Human Flourishing in the Age of AI
2026-06-08
As machines grow increasingly capable of what only humans once could do, what is education for? This was the driving question at the Wellington College Education Forum 2026, held this year at our Wellington College International Shanghai campus—the first time the Forum has convened outside the UK.
The day brought together leaders, partners and educators from across the Wellington College Education family of schools for strategic dialogue shaped by a single ambition: to be the most admired and innovative family of schools in the world. Two themes defined the programme—Human Flourishing in the Age of AI and the Power of the Network.
Reimagining
the Purpose of Education
The morning opened with welcome remarks from our Chair, Joy Qiao, and Sir Anthony Seldon, Founding Director of Wellington College Education, who set the tone by challenging us to reimagine education's purpose in a time of rapid technological change.
Our answer to that question is human flourishing. It is why we are partnering with Michael Stevenson of the OECD, now the Founding Director of The Wellington Institute of Human Flourishing, to develop a framework that moves beyond economic preparation and cultivates five essential competencies: the ability to understand and appreciate the world deeply, to act ethically within it, to solve problems adaptively and to engage with ethical complexity.
These capabilities—rooted in wisdom, empathy and critical thinking—remain distinctly human even as technology advances. They prepare young people for meaningful lives, not just productive careers.
AI: A Catalyst,
Not a Threat
This set the stage for Rethinking School for an AI World, a compelling keynote from Rita Bateson of Eblana Learning. She discussed how generative AI is reshaping learning, assessment and the future of work. Rather than viewing this as a threat, we see it as a catalyst—one that clarifies education's higher purpose. Technology amplifies human intent. The question is: what intent are we cultivating?
A subsequent session introduced the WCE AI Institute, which will guide the organisation's leadership in this space, ensuring that innovation remains both ambitious and ethically grounded.
The Power of
Our Growing Network
We were also delighted to hear from Colette McWilliams, Founding Head of Hiba Academy Bay Area, and Melissa Meyers, Founding Head of Wellington College Independent School Jakarta, who introduced the newest schools joining our global network. Both are powerful reminders that this vision continues to evolve.
Wellington College Independent School Jakarta
Hiba Academy Bay Area
The afternoon turned to the strength of the Wellington College Education network, with each school contributing actively and creatively to the collective endeavour. Strategic reflections from Sir Anthony Seldon and Paresh Thakrar, Managing Director of Wellington College International, highlighted a shared vision, space for local innovation and a culture of continual improvement across the family.
Breakout sessions then enabled partners and school leaders to shape the strategic plan for 2026–27, with a strong focus on broadening collaborative opportunities for pupils and staff and sharing best practice on higher education pathways.
The Work
That Continues
As AI capabilities accelerate, this moment demands educational leadership that is both ambitious and ethically grounded. It requires us to build cultural bridges, foster mutual understanding and equip young people with the tools they need to thrive amid complexity and change.
No single school can navigate this transformation alone—but together, as a family of schools sharing practice and learning from one another's innovations, we can shape something more resilient and more visionary than any institution working in isolation.
That is why we gathered, and that is the work that continues.
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