It was an honour for The Abbey to be part of The Henley Literary Festival 2025. Our sixth form students introduced two of the biggest names at the event, proudly representing our school.

Sixth Formers Joshika and Emily shared that “We had the privilege of introducing Julia Bradbury at the Henley Literary Festival, where she discussed her new book, Hack Yourself Healthy. This book reached number one on the Sunday Times Best Seller list and explored the pivotal question – ‘Can you go from a cancer diagnosis to being healthier and fitter than ever before?’ Julia’s talk was extremely inspiring and engaging, it included insightful advice and even some dancing!”

Martha, Upper VI, introduced Jung Chang to an audience of 500 people. Chang’s Wild Swans defined a generation and sold over 15 million copies.

Martha says, “It was such an honour to introduce Jung Chang at the Henley Literary Festival. Her remarkable book ‘Wild Swans’ captivated me as a work that not only tells the story of three extraordinary women, but also defines generations shaped by the turmoil and transformation of twentieth-century China. Its narratives of her grandmother, mother and herself are deeply moving, capturing the resilience of those who lived through immense change. Meeting the woman behind these stories was unforgettable; hearing her speak about her family’s experiences gave an even deeper appreciation of the courage, endurance and humanity that make ‘Wild Swans’ such a timeless and inspirational book.”