30 Apr 2026
Peer-to-peer learning continues to be a defining strength of our East Asia Schools Conference, with more schools than ever playing a pivotal role at this year’s event on 18 to 19 April in Shenzhen, China.
Themed around ‘Knowledge and skills: shaping future-ready leaders’, the programme combined keynote speeches with over 60 school-led breakout sessions and workshops focused on practical strategies and innovation – from using AI to develop classroom resources, to empowering teacher leadership, and designing student-led lessons to develop growth mindsets. Students also took to the stage to share perspectives on the opportunities that await them and how they can make a positive impact.
"I am always inspired by our East Asia Schools Conference which highlights the powerful impact of schools learning from, and with, each other. Once again, educators from across our region came together to reflect on what matters most in international education, and how we can work together to meet the evolving needs of learners. I’m incredibly proud to be part of such a vibrant and innovative community," Jing Zhao, Regional Director, East Asia for International Education at Cambridge said.
Inspired by Cambridge research into future-readiness
The conference theme is inspired by Cambridge’s report, Preparing Learners to Thrive in a Changing World, which identifies priorities for action in education. The research revealed that teachers and students view subject knowledge as essential for progression in education, but less important beyond it. As AI use increases, the role of subject knowledge is being questioned, however that brings risks with reduced ability to think critically about information received.
Participants heard from keynote speaker Abigail Barnett, Director of Cambridge 3-19 Curriculum, who shared evidence from our recent skills audit of Cambridge International AS & A Levels. The research identifies the essential higher order thinking skills students are developing in Cambridge syllabuses, alongside subject knowledge, which will help them thrive in the future.
Keynote speakers also included Simon Child, Head of Assessment Training for Cambridge Assessment Network, who shared thinking on how assessment can become a 'school superpower' to support future-ready learners; and Jane Larsson, Executive Director of the Council of International Schools who spoke about initiatives to support international students as they transition to higher education.
Chairperson of Tokyo International School, Ikuko Tsuboya, also delivered an inspiring keynote about her career journey in the education sector, conveying a powerful message that every child can shine regardless of their strengths or circumstances and has a role to play in building a better, more peaceful world.
Stronger together
We’d like to thank Shenzhen Hong Kong Pui Kiu College Longhua Xinyi School for hosting the event, and all the educators who ran sessions and helped make the conference so exciting and enriching.
In the words of one delegate: "The real breakthrough wasn't in a keynote or a workshop—it was in the quiet moments of listening to peers who shared the same struggles, doubts, and convictions I had been holding alone. Their stories didn't teach me something brand new; they echoed what I already believed. And that echo was enough. For the first time, I didn't feel like an outsider trying to fit in. I felt like someone who had finally found their own table. That echo didn't just validate my thinking—it gave me the confidence to own it."