2019 NABSS Conference

British Education,
a World of Opportunities

The National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS) held its 41st Annual Conference in Valencia from 28th February to the 3rd March 2019, under the theme of “British Education – a World of Opportunities”.

The conference was held over 4 days commencing with the Gala Dinner on the Thursday evening. The conference was opened by Adrian Massam, President of the Association, who gave a warm welcome to all representatives of member schools and other guests. His Excellency Simon Manley, CGM, British Ambassador to Spain followed with a welcome speech.

The following day was dedicated to heads and owners of schools with the formal opening of the conference and tour of the Education Village followed by presentations from keynote speakers. During the course of the conference, members were lucky to hear from a number of excellent speakers, including Jenny Mosley, Brenda Taggart, Peter Monteath, David Díaz Lima, Sonja Uhlmann, Eva Cartwright and Stella James.

The majority of our 77 member schools were represented at the Annual General Meeting held the next day. Thereafter there was an interesting programme of professional development for senior leaders and teachers ensuring that all member schools are well informed and kept up to date with latest developments, reforms and trends in education.  Workshop leaders included Karine George, Alan Jervis, Steve Garnett and Dave Taylor, amongst many others.  Training was provided for over 300 attendees in total.

The exhibition has always formed an integral part of the annual conference and once again NABSS presented its Education Village, where we welcomed more than 60 companies including those which have staunchly supported us over the years and also the new companies which were joining us for the first time. The annual conference provides an ample opportunity for networking and to ensure this many of our social events were held in the exhibition area including buffet lunches, cocktails and the presentation of awards ceremony.  A special mention to Vilimi, who sponsored the prizes for this year’s NABSS competition.

Thanks also for the support and collaboration of the key organisations with whom we work and on whom we depend, including the British Embassy, the British Council, ACADE, Pearson Education and Cambridge Assessment International. All of these have not only made important contributions to this conference but have worked closely with us throughout the last year in our efforts to represent the interests of British schools in Spain.