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Following the announcement of the new media partnership, Julian Thomas, Master of Wellington, said "exciting" plans were afoot for the event Organisers of one of the biggest education events of the year have announced a new media partnership with The Telegraph.

The Festival of Education, held annually at Wellington College in Berkshire, will this year partner with the media group as the festival grows and moves to a weekday slot.

Taking place from the 23-24 June, 2016, past speakers have included Sir Ken Robinson, author and education expert, Carol Dweck, world-renowned psychologist, and Nicky Morgan, the Education Secretary.

The event attracted some 5,000 guests last year, with growth seen year on year, according to festival organisers.

Louise Hunter, festival director, said that while the programme was in the primary stages of planning, a few speakers had confirmed sessions at the event, including David Weston, CEO of the Teacher Development Trust, and Tom Bennett, the Government's new behaviour expert.

"We believe [the festival] is the very best value continuing professional development (CPD) people can get," said Ms Hunter. "The diversity of speakers is unparalleled.

"We are genuinely excited and delighted that we have The Telegraph as our partner for the next two years... With the move to a weekday, it made sense for us to tie up with a national brand that has a serious focus on education, to work together in a much more collaborative way."

Julian Thomas, Master of Wellington College, welcomed the partnership and said there were big plans to make the festival "even more interesting, relevant and exciting."

"The Ed Fest is, in my experience, the very best example of the independent and state sectors coming together to learn from each other and from the finest minds in education. We want that to continue," he added, "but we have got some new ideas, which we will reveal in due course."

"We will, of course, ensure that we once again get the very best educational thinkers who have something to say about the education of children, which of course should be one of the nation's top priorities."

He continued: "Last year, our speakers ranged from Tinie Tempah (English rapper), all the way through to Carole Dweck and Angela Duckworth, and everyone in between, including Piers Morgan. People will get an eclectic mix of speakers and talks.

Speaking following the announcement of the partnership, Javier Espinoza, Education Editor at The Telegraph said: "The Festival of Education is a well established event that draws in forward thinkers and the most interesting debates on the crucial issues that preoccupy the minds of UK school leaders, from the future of comprehensive education to radical reforms to improve children's learning.

"For two days it becomes a hub for thoughtful speakers, and I am looking forward to engaging in lively debates."