Virtual Plus Festival – The Virtual Festival Website of Potential Plus UK

vPlus Festival 2021

15th-26th February

Register Now and Join the #vPlus Virtual Festival

Illustration of a monster by Paul Pickford

Two young people acting a scene from midsummer nights dream

Join us for a fun festival for curious and enquiring minds!

This 12 day online festival from Potential Plus UK provides a programme of live presentations and creative challenges, some especially for children, some specifically for parents, and others for the whole family to enjoy.

We are delighted to say that we are able to offer all of our 2021 vPlus Festival events FREE OF CHARGE due to funding from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund. Thanks to the Government for making this possible.

Register, then log into the noticeboard each day to find the zoom link to sessions, vPlus Challenges and previous session videos.

Full Access to over 50 sessions for children, families, schools and parents

Over 40 Brilliant Presenters including: Bobby Seagull, Jeff Forshaw, Roma Agrawal, Simon Singh, Alex Bellos, Jonathan Hare, Ben England, Barry Hymer, Peter Wells, Verity Jones, Helen Dennis and Bob Cox.

Saturday and Sunday Challenges, social sessions, chess exhibition and a Private Minecraft Server

Festival Community via a Private Facebook Group

Video Recordings of the Sessions

Man standing in the middle of swirling numbers

Family Activities and Webinars

We have some great sessions planned for all the family including:

Einstein's Theory of Relativity with Prof. Jeff Forshaw

Quantum Computing with Jessica Pointing

Philosophical questions, Maths, Canadian history, Building bridges, lots more topics...

and a Fantastic Quiz Night with Bobby Seagull

Weekend Activities

Added to this, on Saturday and Sunday we will have social sessions, challenges, a simultaneous chess exhibition with a grand master, lichess chess tournament and a private Minecraft server, where we will be creating the Home World of the Alien Federation of Intelligent Beings – who will be sending us a few messages during the weekend!

iphone on a tripod with a photo of a pirate ship in still frame

Sessions for Children and Young People

Fantastic sessions for each age group every day – include:

Ages 5-8

Drawing Sounds; Writing Poetry; Stop Frame Animation; Being Peter Pan...

Ages 8-11

Making Zines; Design a Themed Playground; Eating Insects; The Titanic; Science Experiments; Music...

Ages 11-14

Monster Design; Art and Science; Mathematics of Black Holes; Political Theory in Action; Alan Turing; Critical Thinking...

Group of adults gathered on sofas overlooking a laptop on a low table

Parent Sessions and Discussions

What would a Potential Plus UK festival be without opportunities for parents to discuss and share their experiences? Listen to helpful webinars and discuss and debate with other parents over the challenges and joys of raising children with high learning potential (gifted/more able). Sessions include:

Maths Resources with Simon Singh; How to Grow a Mathematician with Aileen Hoare; Planning for University; Encouraging Creativity; Thinking Better.

Executive Function Skills; Educational Strategies; Emotional Regulation; Metacognition...

Log into the Festival Noticeboard each day to find the Zoom link for that day, vPlus Challenges and previous session videos.

It's Our Virtual Festival!

Bobby Seagull Invites everyone to Join him at the vPlus Family Festival

Festival Schedule

Looking for individual age groups? Discover our great events and sort and print the weekly timetables by clicking on the relevant tab

Log into the Festival Noticeboard each day to find the Zoom link for that day, vPlus Challenges and previous session videos.

No events available!

Week 2 - Sunday 21st - Friday 26th February

All Events
Ages 11-14
Ages 5-8
Ages 8-11
Family Sessions
Parent Sessions and Discussions

Sun 21st Feb

Lichess Chess Tournament - 1 Hour - Ages 18 and Under
10.00 - 11.00
Parenting a Child with High Learning Potential - Discussion - Rebecca Howell
11.00 - 12.00
Carefully Considered Consequences - A Collaborative and Creative Challenge - Susannah White - Ages 11-14
11.30 - 12.30
Scavenger Hunt Challenge (30 minute sessions) - Catherine Holden - Ages 5-12
13.00 - 17.30
Mobile Photography: How to Create Stunning Images - Gregor Forrest - Family Session
18.00 - 19.00
Parents' Fireside Chat - Staff and Trustees of Potential Plus UK
20.00 - 21.00

Mon 22nd Feb

Lines Online - Paul Cookson - Ages 5-8
09.30 - 10.30
Dream Big! Drama Workshop - Mary Benzies and Rachel Lewin - Ages 8-11
11.30 - 12.30
Who Made Your Clothes and Why Does it Matter? - Verity Jones - Ages 11-14
14.00 - 15.00
Building Bridges - Roma Agrawal - Family Session
18.00 - 19.00
Maths Resources for Ambitious Students Aged 11-16 - Simon Singh - Parent Session
20.00 - 20.30

Tues 23rd Feb

Introduction to Quantum Computing - Jessica Pointing - Ages 5-8
09.30 - 10.30
Three Wonderful Experiments You Can Do at Home - Jonathan Hare - Ages 8-11
11.30 - 12.30
The World’s Favourite Number - Alex Bellos - Ages 11-14
14.00 - 15.00
Watching the Daisies Grow? The Extraordinary Childhood of a Quiet Genius - Paul Morris - Family Session
18.00 - 19.00
What About Me? Self-Care for Uncertain Times - Rowan Bendall - Parent Session
20.00 - 21.00

Wed 24th Feb

I'm ME (and There's No One Else I Would Rather Be!) - Judy Morris - Ages 5-8
09.30 - 10.30
The Sinking of the SS Titanic and Calling for Help! - Nigel Amies - Ages 8-11
11.30 - 12.30
Three Wonderful Experiments You Can Do At Home - Jonathan Hare - Ages 11-14
14.00 - 15.00
Lichess Chess Tournament - 1 Hour - Ages 18 and Under
16.30 - 17.30
‘Opening Doors to Independent Writing : Principles and Ideas for Reading to Writing Journeys’ - Bob Cox - Family Session
18.00 - 19.00
How to Grow a Real Mathematician - Aileen Hoare - Parent Session
20.00 - 21.00

Thurs 25th Feb

Peter Pan Workshop: Create the Adventure - Mary Benzies and Rachel Lewin - Ages 5-8
09.30 - 10.30
How to Be a Secret Breaker - Helen Dennis- Ages 8-11
11.30 - 12.30
Survival Tips for Autistic Girls: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic - Siena Castellon - Ages 11-14
14.00 - 15.00
Maths, Magic and Mystery - Rob Eastaway - Family Session
18.00 - 19.00
Emotional Regulation - Rebecca Howell - Parent Session
20.00 - 21.00

Fri 26th Feb

School of Noise: Drawing Sounds - Dan Mayfield - Ages 5-8
09.30 - 10.30
Making Music Fun in Lockdown - Ben England - Ages 8-11
11.30 - 12.30
Bringing Art & Science Together - Hana Ayoob - Ages 11-14
14.00 - 15.00
Lichess Chess Tournament - 1 Hour - Ages 18 and Under
16.30 - 17.30
The History of Black British Art – Lisa Anderson - Family Session
18.00 - 19.00
Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning - David Mullen - Parent Session
20.00 - 21.00

Sun 21st Feb

Lichess Chess Tournament - 1 Hour - Ages 18 and Under
10.00 - 11.00
Carefully Considered Consequences - A Collaborative and Creative Challenge - Susannah White - Ages 11-14
11.30 - 12.30

Mon 22nd Feb

Who Made Your Clothes and Why Does it Matter? - Verity Jones - Ages 11-14
14.00 - 15.00

Tues 23rd Feb

The World’s Favourite Number - Alex Bellos - Ages 11-14
14.00 - 15.00

Wed 24th Feb

Three Wonderful Experiments You Can Do At Home - Jonathan Hare - Ages 11-14
14.00 - 15.00
Lichess Chess Tournament - 1 Hour - Ages 18 and Under
16.30 - 17.30

Thurs 25th Feb

Survival Tips for Autistic Girls: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic - Siena Castellon - Ages 11-14
14.00 - 15.00

Fri 26th Feb

Bringing Art & Science Together - Hana Ayoob - Ages 11-14
14.00 - 15.00
Lichess Chess Tournament - 1 Hour - Ages 18 and Under
16.30 - 17.30

Sun 21st Feb

Lichess Chess Tournament - 1 Hour - Ages 18 and Under
10.00 - 11.00
Scavenger Hunt Challenge (30 minute sessions) - Catherine Holden - Ages 5-12
13.00 - 17.30

Mon 22nd Feb

Lines Online - Paul Cookson - Ages 5-8
09.30 - 10.30

Tues 23rd Feb

Introduction to Quantum Computing - Jessica Pointing - Ages 5-8
09.30 - 10.30

Wed 24th Feb

I'm ME (and There's No One Else I Would Rather Be!) - Judy Morris - Ages 5-8
09.30 - 10.30
Lichess Chess Tournament - 1 Hour - Ages 18 and Under
16.30 - 17.30

Thurs 25th Feb

Peter Pan Workshop: Create the Adventure - Mary Benzies and Rachel Lewin - Ages 5-8
09.30 - 10.30

Fri 26th Feb

School of Noise: Drawing Sounds - Dan Mayfield - Ages 5-8
09.30 - 10.30
Lichess Chess Tournament - 1 Hour - Ages 18 and Under
16.30 - 17.30

Sun 21st Feb

Lichess Chess Tournament - 1 Hour - Ages 18 and Under
10.00 - 11.00
Scavenger Hunt Challenge (30 minute sessions) - Catherine Holden - Ages 5-12
13.00 - 17.30

Mon 22nd Feb

Dream Big! Drama Workshop - Mary Benzies and Rachel Lewin - Ages 8-11
11.30 - 12.30

Tues 23rd Feb

Three Wonderful Experiments You Can Do at Home - Jonathan Hare - Ages 8-11
11.30 - 12.30

Wed 24th Feb

The Sinking of the SS Titanic and Calling for Help! - Nigel Amies - Ages 8-11
11.30 - 12.30
Lichess Chess Tournament - 1 Hour - Ages 18 and Under
16.30 - 17.30

Thurs 25th Feb

How to Be a Secret Breaker - Helen Dennis- Ages 8-11
11.30 - 12.30

Fri 26th Feb

Making Music Fun in Lockdown - Ben England - Ages 8-11
11.30 - 12.30
Lichess Chess Tournament - 1 Hour - Ages 18 and Under
16.30 - 17.30

Sun 21st Feb

Mobile Photography: How to Create Stunning Images - Gregor Forrest - Family Session
18.00 - 19.00

Mon 22nd Feb

Building Bridges - Roma Agrawal - Family Session
18.00 - 19.00

Tues 23rd Feb

Watching the Daisies Grow? The Extraordinary Childhood of a Quiet Genius - Paul Morris - Family Session
18.00 - 19.00

Wed 24th Feb

‘Opening Doors to Independent Writing : Principles and Ideas for Reading to Writing Journeys’ - Bob Cox - Family Session
18.00 - 19.00

Thurs 25th Feb

Maths, Magic and Mystery - Rob Eastaway - Family Session
18.00 - 19.00

Fri 26th Feb

The History of Black British Art – Lisa Anderson - Family Session
18.00 - 19.00

Sun 21st Feb

Parenting a Child with High Learning Potential - Discussion - Rebecca Howell
11.00 - 12.00
Parents' Fireside Chat - Staff and Trustees of Potential Plus UK
20.00 - 21.00

Mon 22nd Feb

Maths Resources for Ambitious Students Aged 11-16 - Simon Singh - Parent Session
20.00 - 20.30

Tues 23rd Feb

What About Me? Self-Care for Uncertain Times - Rowan Bendall - Parent Session
20.00 - 21.00

Wed 24th Feb

How to Grow a Real Mathematician - Aileen Hoare - Parent Session
20.00 - 21.00

Thurs 25th Feb

Emotional Regulation - Rebecca Howell - Parent Session
20.00 - 21.00

Fri 26th Feb

Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning - David Mullen - Parent Session
20.00 - 21.00

No events available!

Meet Some of Our Presenters

Articles and Activity Blogs

Introduction to Minecraft

by root
Festival, Learning Activities
February 24, 2021

Minecraft has been a great hit at the vPlus Festival. One of our moderators, Bambiipop, has produced a video introducing people to minecraft, answering comm...
Read more
vPlus Festival: Full Throttle Fun! (and More to Come!)

by root
Festival
February 22, 2021

Well, Glastonbury may be cancelled again this year, but fate has thrown a curveball, richly providing for our high potential little (and not so little!) one...
Read more
What Young People Really Need to Survive and Thrive in the Modern World – By Alex Elliott

by root
Festival, High Learning Potential, Learning Activities
February 15, 2021

Critical thinking skills – the ability to think independently and use the information available to us to make good choices – have been important for as ...
Read more
An Introduction to Dual or Multiple Exceptionality (DME)

by root
Dual or Multiple Exceptionality, Festival, High Learning Potential
February 14, 2021

Children who have high learning potential, (gifted/more able) combined with a special educational need or disability are often described as having Dual or M...
Read more
The Staged Learning Techniques Toolbox – by Got-A-Head®?

by root
Festival
February 14, 2021

Our kids have a thirst for knowledge. As parents, we do everything we can to get them to a well so that they can drink deeply. Sometimes, we need to do mo...
Read more
Skills Builder at the vPlus Festival 2021

by root
Festival, Learning Activities
February 14, 2021

Skills Builder is a framework which helps children and young people develop essential life skills for success in the areas of Aiming High, Creativity, Leade...
Read more

Register Now and Join the #vPlus Virtual Festival

Two young people acting out dramatic confrontation in a Peter Pan workshop in an empty theatre

Simon Singh at the Merseyside Skeptics Society CCb3.0

Image of Alan Turing behind a teddy bear

Register Now and Join the #vPlus Virtual Festival

Join us for a fun festival for curious and enquiring minds!

Log into the Festival Noticeboard each day to find the Zoom link for that day, vPlus Challenges and previous session videos.

It's Our Virtual Festival!

Bobby Seagull Invites everyone to Join him at the vPlus Family Festival

Festival Schedule

Week 1 - Monday 15th - Saturday 20th February

Mon 15th Feb

Tues 16th Feb

Wed 17th Feb

Thurs 18th Feb

Fri 19th Feb

Sat 20th Feb

Mon 15th Feb

Tues 16th Feb

Wed 17th Feb

Thurs 18th Feb

Fri 19th Feb

Sat 20th Feb

Tues 16th Feb

Wed 17th Feb

Thurs 18th Feb

Fri 19th Feb

Sat 20th Feb

Mon 15th Feb

Tues 16th Feb

Wed 17th Feb

Thurs 18th Feb

Fri 19th Feb

Sat 20th Feb

Mon 15th Feb

Tues 16th Feb

Wed 17th Feb

Thurs 18th Feb

Fri 19th Feb

Sat 20th Feb

Mon 15th Feb

Tues 16th Feb

Wed 17th Feb

Thurs 18th Feb

Fri 19th Feb

Sat 20th Feb

Week 2 - Sunday 21st - Friday 26th February

Sun 21st Feb

Mon 22nd Feb

Tues 23rd Feb

Wed 24th Feb

Thurs 25th Feb

Fri 26th Feb

Sun 21st Feb

Mon 22nd Feb

Tues 23rd Feb

Wed 24th Feb

Thurs 25th Feb

Fri 26th Feb

Sun 21st Feb

Mon 22nd Feb

Tues 23rd Feb

Wed 24th Feb

Thurs 25th Feb

Fri 26th Feb

Sun 21st Feb

Mon 22nd Feb

Tues 23rd Feb

Wed 24th Feb

Thurs 25th Feb

Fri 26th Feb

Sun 21st Feb

Mon 22nd Feb

Tues 23rd Feb

Wed 24th Feb

Thurs 25th Feb

Fri 26th Feb

Sun 21st Feb

Mon 22nd Feb

Tues 23rd Feb

Wed 24th Feb

Thurs 25th Feb

Fri 26th Feb

Meet Some of Our Presenters