Philosophy for Children (P4C) A whole school approach

Whole school Philosophy for Children background and context to introducing P4C in UK schools whole school model – theory and practice research and evaluation

Philosophy for Children background Matthew Lipman, Columbia University Pedagogical roots in Dewey (Piaget & Vygotsky) IAPC: Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children, Montclair University (1974) ICPIC: International Council of Philosophical Inquiry with Children (1985) SAPERE: (Society for Advancing Philosophical Enquiry and Reflection in Education) registered charity (1992)

What is Philosophy for Children?

Philosophy for Children is… a worldwide movement philosophising – the practice of enquiry children create philosophical questions/ideas time and value given to thinking and reflection skills orientated/concept focused transferrable across subjects cognitive, social and emotional benefits

Aims of P4C The aim of a thinking skills program such as P4C is not to turn children into philosophers or decision makers, but to help them become more thoughtful, more reflective, more considerate and more reasonable individuals. Matthew Lipman

Collaborative thinking Creative thinking Critical thinking Community of Enquiry Caring thinking Collaborative thinking

P4C scheme overview stimulus (text, film, image, poem etc.) thinking time question creation and focus enquiry (dialogue) review Copyright E Lewis

About SAPERE Our Role Our Organisation Promote Philosophy for Children in the UK Registered charity based near Oxford Develop and deliver validated training courses Full and part-time staff of 10 Support a national community of teachers, trainers and schools Network of 75 registered professional trainers across UK Manage projects to deliver Philosophy for Children National membership and subscription Collate and publicise research into benefits of Philosophy for Children Partnerships including 15 universities 9

SAPERE P4C Training Courses Taster: Understanding P4C Allows you to assess whether P4C is right for your school at the moment Public conferences, twilight sessions, teacher/governor presentations Led by SAPERE with no obligation for your school P4C Advanced Course Level 2A Advance your skills for higher quality enquiries and to support less-experienced colleagues P4C Advanced Course Level 2B Get ready to lead P4C in your school 2 day course, Open or INSET  P4C Foundation Course - Level 1 Start practising P4C with your students 2 day course, Open or INSET P4C Advanced Theory Level 3 Explore the philosophical foundations of P4C and become an advanced facilitator. 3 day open course 10

SAPERE’s Going for Gold programme 11

Challenges

Challenges Time Maintaining trained staff Maintaining quality practice Sustainability/long term commitment Complacency – ‘we do philosophy/thinking skills already’ No prior experience of philosophy/no interest ‘Fireworks then fizzle’ effect Curriculum (perceived to be additional rather than integrated) Assessment and content driven political agenda Progress through school

Embedding and sustaining whole school P4C Commitment as an institution Long term vision P4C permeates the playground, staff meetings, home school relationships and school governance Going for Gold 2-3 year whole school P4C programme P4C Leader – monitoring and reporting Leaders have adopted a ‘Philosophy for Children’ approach to the school, which characterises every aspect of their work. Broadwater School Ofsted Report, 2015

Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) Research randomised controlled trial 2013-15 with 3,159 KS2 pupils from 48 schools, independently evaluated by Durham University teachers had (Level 1) 2 days P4C training plus a year-long programme of support most disadvantaged children improved their reading skills by 4 months, maths by 3 months and writing by 2 months (SATs) feedback from teachers suggests that P4C had a beneficial impact on confidence, patience and self-esteem. Philosophy for Children is a long-established and well-respected programme. It’s absolutely brilliant that our study’s results give us evidence of its positive impact on primary pupils’ maths and reading results. Dr Kevan Collins, Chief Executive of the Education Endowment Foundation  

What do the children think? (Year 6) What does P4C help you with most (in life and in school?) asking questions developing speech and helps you to create a conversation with anyone learning to appreciate other’s opinions and it helps me to think more deeply courage to talk out loud to think about things in a different way interacting with other pupils is easier collaboration to build up my confidence and improve my knowledge in asking questions

Rokeby School comprehensive secondary school for boys, years 7 to 11 in Newham, London E16 close to 90% of the school population speaks English as an additional language; the home languages spoken number around 70 over half of the students qualify for free school meals and the pupil premium, set according to the level of disadvantage, is 72.6% almost all staff are trained in P4C, with new staff being routinely inducted in P4C in their first term P4C is practised throughout the school with regular time tabled sessions and embedded in the curriculum Rokeby has about 15 ‘P4C Champions’, year 8 to 11 students who have received P4C training and either assist teachers in running enquiries or facilitate enquiries themselves (in pairs)

The behaviour incidents of students has been reduced. The SAPERE Level 1 and 2 training has had a huge impact on the whole school community of Rokeby School. Since all the staff and 18 students had training, P4C has been introduced into the whole school curriculum. It has supported the development of staff and student relationships, as well as peer relationships. The behaviour incidents of students has been reduced. The school results have seen a leap from 43% to 67% A*-C grades at GCSE (including English and Maths).’ Gurjit Shergill, Deputy Head teacher, Rokeby School

www.sapere.org.uk lizzylewis@sapere.org.uk Blog: http://saperep4c.wordpress.com Twitter: @SAPERE_P4C www.sapere.org.uk lizzylewis@sapere.org.uk Facebook: SAPERE : P4C (Philosophy for Children)