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	Philosophy for Children (P4C) What is P4C? "An unexamined life is not worth living” Socrates P4C aims to encourage children (or adults) to think critically, caringly, creatively and collaboratively. Based on the principles of a Socratic Dialogue the participants build a ‘community of enquiry’ whereby they create and attempt to answer their own questions. Through this process children are enabled to philosophise and this requires them to reason and explain their thinking, to listen and to build on the ideas of others. P4C is a very powerful approach to teaching and learning. It can directly contribute towards: Thinking skills Speaking and listening The Primary and KS3 Strategies Emotional literacy Values Education All subjects, particularly Citizenship, PSHE, RE, and English CDEC and P4C Cheshire DEC views P4C as a key tool in exploring the global dimension with children, young people and teachers across Cheshire, Halton and Warrington. Two members of staff are trained to Level 1 and three members of staff are trained to Level 2. We can provide introductory INSETs on P4C to introduce teachers to the approach of the community of enquiry. Although we always recommend that a teacher subsequently attends a Level 1 accredited course. We use our experience and knowledge of P4C in our project work as detailed in the Case Studies below. Case Studies Millennium Development Goals Project Throughout the project we used methodologies such as Philosophy for Children and other mind friendly learning approaches to support teaching and learning about the MDGs and development issues. P4C encouraged real engagement with the issues, participation and decision making as well as developing skills, knowledge and understanding and creating opportunities for examining values and attitudes. Quotes from the interim evaluation report show the value of P4C: “P4C really helped me to have an open mind and to think carefully before making decisions, and it really helped in my story writing” “P4C has changed my life because I can let my feelings out” ‘Aiming High through Education for Global Citizenship’ project at Wyche Primary School. P4C was a specific approach: The School Evaluation Form [SEF] for example affirms that, “Circle time and Philosophy for Children make a significant contribution to moral and emotional development”, stating that, “We have introduced Philosophy for Children to support learners in expressing their views, considering the views of others, and making informed choices. Monitoring of learning is showing that learners are making good progress in developing these skills. Some learners have developed it as an additional social and emotional support for themselves and others; others enjoy the challenge of debate”. Key Stimuli for the Global Dimension Click here to download the Resource List Courses Introduction to P4C Description Basic introduction to Philosophy for Children which includes information about the history of P4C, the process, benefits of P4C for both individuals and whole school and ideas on resources/stimuli. We also provide a taster of an enquiry in which participants can experience the’ community of enquiry’. Booking Please contact the Chester centre for bookings. Level 1 P4C (accredited) Description A practical 12-hour introduction (usually over two full days), leading to a certificate of attendance. The course focuses on the theory and practice of developing communities of enquiry Who should attend? - P4C will be useful to all education professionals. Due to its skills-based approach to teaching and learning, the Level 1 course is relevant to primary or secondary teachers, specialists (in G & T or Literacy for example), school governors, LEA advisors, head teachers and senior management teams. It has even been used as an effective method of running whole staff meetings. Available Courses All Level 1 courses above are being held at the Halton Holiday Inn. The 2 day course cost to members is £275 which includes a P4C handbook. Level 2 P4C (accredited) Description For those who have completed a Level One course. It leads to a nationally recognised Certificate in the Theory and Practice of Philosophical Enquiry in Education. This course involves 24 hours of further theory and guided practice, followed by a minimum of 15 hours classroom practice and written assignment. Available courses Level 2 courses are run through SAPERE for more details visit www.sapere.org.uk SAPERE SAPERE is an educational charity based at the Westminster Institute of Education www.brookes.ac.uk at Oxford Brookes University. SAPERE was set up in 1992 following interest aroused by the BBC television documentary Socrates for six year olds. This hour-long film focused on the work of Professor Matthew Lipman and his associates (including Catherine McCall) in New Jersey who, over the past 25 years, have developed a curriculum for 5 to 16 year olds known as Philosophy for Children. SAPERE seeks to build on Lipman’s work and promote his and other approaches to developing better reasoning, more reflective consideration of values and the development of communities of enquiry at all levels of education and in a wide variety of contexts. SAPERE also organises and validates training courses in the theory and practice of philosophical enquiry in education. For more information please visit their website www.sapere.org.uk


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