LIVE! conferences inspire pupils at Disneyland Paris

Can you remember your favourite school trip? Maybe it was the first time you stayed away from home, or visited an exciting exhibition. For these lucky pupils who visited Disneyland Paris for European Study Tours’ LIVE! conferences, it’s going to take something extraordinary to knock this visit off the top spot. 

Schools from across the UK travelled to the popular attraction in France, not only to take in the magic that awaits beyond the gates, but also to learn from specialist speakers who were on-hand to offer advice within their fields to inspire the stars of tomorrow.

Schools who book can choose from one of three conferences, which in my case was Computing LIVE!, Business LIVE! or Media LIVE!. Students then use what they have learnt in the conference as inspiration to complete a tailored workbook inside the Disney parks. 

“As a society, we let our children down by not taking them outside the classroom enough. No matter how good a teacher you are, and I think I’m a good teacher, I need others externally to give them more inspiration and coming to talks like this really helps with that.”

Bobby Seagull, TV personality and maths teacher

The initiative is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and it’s clear to see why it has stood the test of time over the past two decades. In fact, it has grown massively from 600 students visiting in 2004, to around 4,000 students across three dates in 2024. But what makes it such a great visit? Well, most importantly, it’s an incredibly rewarding experience for both pupils and teachers.

Suzie Jones, teacher at Twynham School in Dorset, said she has been bringing her pupils over the years to the Computing LIVE! conference because it’s a brilliant way to keep informed about new technologies from those in the know. 

She said: “It’s great that we’re able to relate to the students more and the new technology they’re using. If we can bring in a new idea or a new spin on a theme that we’re teaching based on what we’ve heard here, then students trust you even more to help them with their studies.”

Students can meet and quiz industry experts who can help them make informed decisions − whether that’s a business plan idea they want to explore later in a life, or the latest media trends to apply to their own career aspirations. 

And as I discovered from very early on, you’re in safe hands with the European Study Tours’ expert team. Like all schools, I was greeted by a friendly face who explained where I needed to be at what time. They were also easy to find in bright pink jumpers which massively helps in a crowded place.

“We try to do career and progression days in school, but coming to an event outside of their comfort zone like this can be really useful for pupils because it gives them a fresh perspective.”

Liam Hickey, teacher at Peter Symonds College, Winchester

The conferences themselves ran like clockwork. Visitors are made to feel welcome which instantly puts minds at ease − a breath of fresh air for teachers in charge of large groups.

Liam Hickey, teacher at Peter Symonds College in Winchester, said the Business LIVE! conference is one of the most enriching experiences out there.

He added: “Anything we do as a school is to enrich the students’ experiences in education because we want to set them up for later in life. We try to do career and progression days in school, but coming to an event outside of their comfort zone like this can be really useful because it gives them a fresh perspective.

“From a business perspective, it’s useful in terms of seeing the Disney branding everywhere, and it starts to get them thinking about the opportunities out there.

“It also helps them build connections. We have a lot of students that are trying to utilise LinkedIn, so coming along to this allows them to network with professionals already in the industry, as well as other teachers and even their peers.”

Sensational speakers

Of course, the big pull of this visit isn’t just the amazing Disneyland Paris resort, but also the talented presenters themselves. There was a real buzz in the room for each conference I attended, as industry experts explained their stories which often sparked new-found interests.

Journalist Cristina Criddle began proceedings in Computing LIVE!, and explained her path into writing about technology for the Financial Times while Oxford graduate Joana Baptista highlighted her mission to close the socio-economic gap for young girls pursuing traditionally male careers.

Games developer Ben Byford concluded the session with details of his life in the world of computer games, which also sparked one pupil to ask which coding language he should be learning at a beginner level. 

See what our mascot Teacher Ted got up to on the visit…

Business LIVE! brought more fascinating tales. Zakia Moulaoui, CEO of Invisible Cities, explained how her business trains people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city, offering off the beaten track tours which highlight stories from real people.

This was followed by award-winning business woman Kate Hardcastle, and chocolatier Louis Barnett who is the youngest person in history to supply products to both Sainsbury’s and Waitrose supermarket chains… at the age of 14.

“This visit teaches pupils more than just computer science. It’s independent money management, it’s making sure they’re listening to instructions, it’s managing their time well and ultimately just getting out there and seeing the world and the teachers in a different light.”

Suzie Jones, teacher at Twynham School in Dorset.

The third and final conference Media LIVE! opened with TV personality and mathematician Bobby Seagull, followed by presenter Gemma Hunt and JaackMaate’s Happy Hour podcast co-host Stevie White.

Bobby Seagull, who teaches part time in London when he’s not competing on the likes of Celebrity Hunted or University Challenge, is a huge advocate of the LIVE! initiative.

He told us: “I absolutely love the conference. As a school teacher, I know when students come outside of the classroom to a new place, they finally get to see their subject in real life and in a completely different environment. School visits like this really ground students and set them up to prepare for future opportunities.

“I hope that pupils learned to expect the unexpected from my talk, because I never planned for a career in media, so all the little things they learn in school and through experiences such as this could lead to something amazing in the future. 

“As a society, we let our children down by not taking them outside the classroom enough. No matter how good a teacher you are, and I think I’m a good teacher, I need others externally to give them more inspiration and coming to talks like this really helps with that.”

The magic of Disney

Away from the conference, teachers can take their students into either the Disneyland Park, or the Walt Disney Studios Park which gives them managed independence in a new environment. 

There are so many rides to choose from. Thrill seekers can head for Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, while others may enjoy Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast or Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventure Land.

Teacher Suzie Jones added: “This visit teaches pupils more than just computer science. It’s independent money management, it’s making sure they’re listening to instructions, it’s managing their time well and ultimately just getting out there and seeing the world and the teachers in a different light.

“It’s fantastic to see the pupils enjoy Disneyland too. A few years ago I took a younger group of students and just seeing their faces when they walked through and saw the castle was amazing.”

I truly felt inspired on the way home after a thoroughly enjoyable trip. Not even the torrential rain and a hole in my shoe (squelch!) could put a dampener on the experience as teachers and pupils came together to learn creatively. The only negative is that I wasn’t able to experience this when I was at school. Those who give it a try will not be disappointed.