What to expect
Key info, dates for your diary, and FAQs
So you're keen to learn more about our Schools events? Good news, you're in the right place.
Whether you've visited before or are considering your first class trip, these pages share everything you need to know about our Schools Programme and to join us.
Scroll down to find out about the topics listed here (or use the handy menu at the top of this page to zoom to the section you're interested in!):
- Key dates for your diary
- Information about our event formats
- Information on our ticket pricing, including how to apply for financial help
- How to apply to our transport fund
- What else there is to explore as part of your visit
- Information on in-event access provisions
- Discounts you can enjoy for purchasing books
- How to stay in the know through our Schools mailing letter
Looking for practical visiting information on how to get to, or around, Edinburgh Futures Institute? Pop over to this dedicated page to plan your logistics.
Got a question that this page doesn't answer? We'd love to hear from you and help. Get in touch and one of our Schools team will assist (we're standing ready!).
Key dates for your diary
We know you're busy, so we'll keep this short. Take note of:
Thursday 23 April: The Schools Programme is announced.
Tuesday 28 April: Booking opens. Apply for your tickets and transport fund support. Allocations are made first come first served, so book in early.
From Thursday 28 May: We'll be in touch to let you know which of your ticket and transport applications have been successful. It's time to get excited!
Thursday 11 June: Deadline to amend or cancel any bookings.
Thursday 18 June: We'll send you a helpful information pack about your bookings, along with your ticket invoice.
Monday 24 - Friday 28 August: The 2026 Schools Programme takes place!
About our Schools events
Our Schools Programme events take place across a range of venues at Edinburgh Futures Institute, the smallest sitting 60, up to our largest 400 capacity venue.
Schools events can take a range of forms. From storytelling and author interview to Q&A sessions and creative workshops, each event has been carefully curated to align with key topics and themes in the teaching curriculum – as well as generally encouraging a love of books, of course!
Pricing and financial support
We want as many young students to visit the Festival as possible, which is why we've kept our Schools ticket pricing as low as we can.
Our Schools events are priced at £4 per ticket. Plus, each pupil who joins us will go home with a FREE book.
The income from our Schools tickets directly helps fund the Schools Programme, but we know that even a small cost may be the difference between some pupils being able to attend. We never want cost to be a barrier for eager young minds, which is we offer the opportunity to request free tickets. To place a request, get in touch with schools@edbookfest.co.uk.
Support with transport
We've heard that one of the biggest challenges to joining us is the cost of transporting your class.
It would be ideal if the invention of teleportation would hurry along, but until then, we're pleased to offer a transport fund to financially support arranging buses and coaches.
You can place your transport fund ask when submitting your application for tickets. We'll let you know what we can grant from late May. We try to balance the transport fund between helping as many visits who need support as we can, with helping as much as possible. If there's any concerns about the cost of travel, do get in touch and talk it over – we're keen to understand and help as much as we can.
Making a day of your visit
You've got your tickets, transport is ready, and your class can't wait for their event. But did you know that there's lots to explore around our Festival to make it a full day out?
Before or after your event, make sure you head up to the Discovery Zone – a dedicated Schools space bursting with stands, stalls, exhibitions and activities to keep the neurons firing (possibly some free goodies for the kids to take home too!).
Each pupil will leave their event with a free book, but don't miss checking out the Festival Bookshop, run by our partners Waterstones (plus, enjoy a special 10% discount for educators on any bookshop purchases made during the festival – just show your teaching ID!).
When it's lunch or snack time, we've got plenty of student friendly spaces for your class to hang out whilst they tuck in. Nice day? Head for our Children's Courtyardfor sun and shade. Not so nice day? There's lots of seating by EFI's Canopy Café, and plenty nooks and benches around the building – also perfect for anyone keen to stick their nose in their new book!
Access
It is important to us that every young person who wants to attend our Schools events, can.
Our Festival site at Edinburgh Futures Institute is wheelchair accessible, with accessible bathrooms throughout. We also set up a Quiet Room, which is there for anyone who may need a peaceful environment for a time.
All our venue spaces have infrared and/or audio induction loop systems.
You can also request BSL interpretation for any event in the Schools Programme – just let us know which as soon as you've submitted your application for tickets.
Got a specific access requirement? We're here to help. Get in touch and we can chat it over.
Book discounts
Thanks to Waterstones, our bookshop partners, we're really pleased to offer two ways to purchase and enjoy books at a discounted rate, whether you're in the market for yourself or for your class.
Shopping for your class? Enjoy a whopping 28% discount on bulk orders of 15 or more books.
The offer applies to all books featured in the Schools and Children's Programmes and is valid between 28 April - 30 September 2026.
You can sign up for the discount here, and then send your order details to this Waterstones contact. They'll ensure your order is processed and sent directly to your school.
Treating yourself? Too right.
Make use of a 10% discount at our Waterstones Festival Bookshop, exclusively for teachers and educators. Valid at any time during the Festival (15 - 30 August 2026), just show a proof of employment or other educator status ID at the till point to redeem your discount.
Stay up to date
Want reminders when our Schools Programme announces? Have them land straight into your inbox by signing up to our dedicated Schools mailing list.