Do you value P4C but struggle to fit it in?

 

You know enough about P4C to think it would be good for your school. But there are obstacles to implementing it. Traditional one-hour stand-alone sessions won’t fit your timetable. Teaching staff, already under pressure, are wary of taking on “yet another thing” and aren’t sure if they’re “doing it right”. So how can P4C training support colleagues to make it work with your existing curriculum?

Philosophy Circles Level 1: How to Embed P4C in the Curriculum (2-day course), London

Day 1: 18 June 2018 – Laycock PDC, London

Day 2: 19 June 2018 – Observing P4C Workshops + Twilight Training at St. Jude and St. Paul’s Primary School, London

£199+VAT (£299 for ticket + our Premium Resource Pack!)

 

In this two-day course with Jason and Tom, leading to Level 1 Philosophy Circles accreditation, you will learn the core principles of the method and how you can use it across your teaching.

On Monday 18 June we will run a packed day of training at Laycock PDC, Islington, London, sharing the principles of Philosophy Circles and many techniques and activities.

On Tuesday 19 June, you can see it all in action with children at St Jude and St Paul’s School, also in Islington, with a twilight session to consolidate your understanding, highlight even more ‘tricks of the trade’ used in the day, and answer further questions.

Seeing the methods in action live with children is fascinating and a powerful motivator to make it happen with your own classes.

 

Like the look of this course?

To find out how to book, click the button on the right.


Find Out How To Book

Help children find their voices

More and more children arrive in reception scarcely talking at all. Parents distracted by social media speak less to their children, and the impact is growing. In one school with many younger parents, children joining reception completely nonverbal rose from five, to half to the class.

If they don’t learn to talk confidently to groups in their primary years, it’s unlikely they ever will. That impacts their learning, and their economic and social wellbeing. You’ll learn how to overcome the different obstacles children have to speaking, and get (almost) every child talking:

  • Playground Confident, Classroom Shy – how to empower children who clam up in the classroom
  • Chance, Chain, Choose – how to reduce inequality in the classroom
  • Separating Thinking and Speaking – how to beat the “I dunno” card
  • Unwrongification – how to free children from the fear of getting it wrong
  • Small Talk Big Talk – how to keep them talking while raising the stakes
  • How to make thinking a game by making it physical

p4c training

“After 30 plus years of teaching, advisory and inspection experience I thought I’d seen plenty of innovative and exciting approaches in the classroom…

…but whilst sitting in a session led by Tom I couldn’t help feeling that here was something new and of superior standing. Philosophy Circles is like a magic portal (dare I say TARDIS….bigger on the inside!). I’ve been carrying it around in my handbag for months. Just 50 pages but packed with an ever expanding wealth of resources and don’t get me started on what it feels like when you try them out in class. As the book says ‘take the road less travelled’ and it will make ALL the difference to your class!”

Sharon Hallis

Advisor and Inspector, Wiltshire

Practical for Teachers

With the ever-increasing pressure from above, teachers feel more and more accountable for planning every minute of children’s learning. It creates a dependency  culture, with children always looking to the teacher. Learn how planning less and letting the questions do the work fosters greater independence and faster progress.

During the course, teachers can see how easy it is to embed P4C, and immediately give it a go themselves. There’s no wondering of “where am I going to fit this in?” or “I’ll do this soon” and it never see the light of day.

  • Sessions that support deeper reflection about seasonal events such as Christmas, harvest and Easter
  • How to create deep, worthwhile discussions within a 30 minute timetable slot
  • Dozens of ready-to-use activities your staff can can adapt for any context
  • Simple, memorable principles that connect with your teachers’ values

 

P4C Training

Like the look of this course?

To find out how to book, click the button on the right.


Find Out How To Book

Like the look of this course?

To find out how to book, click the button on the right.


Find Out How To Book


Spreadable to your Whole School

Handouts from training courses often sit in the “INSET graveyard’. It’s full of ideas that sounded great on the day but which never quite got passed on to colleagues. Teachers are very busy, and so new initiatives often get buried under the hectic pace of day to day teaching. To avoid that, each booking includes attractive minibooks that are written with busy teachers in mind, and following the course our huge range of resources means there’s every support for you and colleagues continue using P4C regularly.

 

The books have memory aids in the form of stories, summaries and catchily-named activities so that it is easy for colleagues to make it part of their general teaching style.

 

Over 150 session plans for use within the primary curriculum

The course booking includes our Premium Pack of Resources – 150+ 30 minute sessions on the most popular primary school topics. It makes it another, richer way to do what you do already, rather than something else to squeeze in.

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Philosophy Circles
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Not only do staff work with our resources, they also create their own!
Not only do staff work with our resources, they also create their own!

Resources

Over 100 session plans with a consistent, easy to follow format, plus a wealth of supporting stimuli and other resources.

English
Nim’s Island
The Snail and the Whale
The Lighthouse Keepers’ Lunch
Fairytales
Myths and Monsters
Poetry
St. George and the Dragon
Harry Potter
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Science
Senses
Tame and wild animals
Evolution
Living forever
Human development
Mind and body
Seasons
Sound
Sustainability
Working scientifically
Maths
Value
Trade
Numbers
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History
20th century
Ancient Civilisations
Ancient Egyptians
Ancient Greeks
Anglo-Saxons
Aztecs
Monarchies
Invaders and Settlers
Normans
Romans
Stone Age
Tudors
Victorians
World War One
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Religious Education
Buddhism
Christianity
Christmas
Comparative Religions
Hinduism

Art, Design and Technology
Painting
Design
Health and Diet
Tools
Computing

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PSHE
Behaviour
Bullying
Changes and new beginnings
Citizenship
Ethics
Friendship
Mental health
Self-image
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Geography
Around the world
Rivers
Tourism
Sustainability
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PE
Teamwork

Over 120 curriculum based session plans

Self- and peer- assessment tools

Training Videos 

From 'How-to' Guides...
From ‘How-to’ Guides…
...to enquiry footage with commentary.
…to enquiry footage with commentary.

What teachers say about our resources…

These resources are absolutely superb. I’ve been trying/failing to use my imagination to get our girls more interested in this kind of thing. After using various books, an outside speaker and my own imagination I’ve made a tiny bit of progress, but your exercises captured the girls’ imagination much more quickly. Great stuff.

Mary

Teacher

Just wanted to thank you for all the resources you have created/sent to me/posted.  They’re great and I’m using them weekly with my class.

Debbie Brooks

Can I start by saying how fantastic I think your ideas are – I really enjoy getting your emails and my Y6 class and I have really enjoyed using many of your stimulating resources. Recently, we spent all afternoon philosophising following your ‘should Russia be sent home from the euros?’ stimulus – kept my lively class engaged for hours. So huge thanks!

Jo Lowe

Newlands Primary School

Suddenly remembered that I have an inbox full of your emails and I have found so many good resources for kick starting discussions and debate. I am planning this lessons for year 7 form tutors (mainly PE, Maths and Economics teachers) so it has been really useful to have interesting resources to build on.

Lucy Strike

William Ellis School

There is definitely a buzz with your P4C materials with my current class and colleagues, which is all down to you.

Heather Soar

Handsworth Primary School

Thank you so very much for your wonderful P4C resources. I will prepare the sessions during the summer holidays in case I find another school who would like P4C before then.

These first lesson examples you have so kindly shared will be really useful and I just wanted to say a big thank you to you for your generosity of spirit. This will really help me to get going.

Rachel Hutchings

Kent County Council

I wanted to send you a thankyou as i have bee4n completing a research project in school this year and your emails inspired me to create a philosophy SOW for my year 8s.

Ann Morris

St Ambrose Barlow School

I wish to say a most heartfelt thank you to you as I used some of your exercises as part of a mini project and it has had tremendous feedback both from staff at my school and from tutors at university. I really appreciated you taking time out from your busy schedule to help me. Thank you also for the wonderful resources that you send out, (the doughnut and it’s hole being my current particular favourite – I have even had teachers reading philosophy papers about the concept of holes as a result of this lesson!)

Andrew Lawson

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your emails, I am finding them to be more useful than the majority of the information that I paid to have access to! I have only just started a P4C group as a volunteer at my children’s school, my enthusiasm is by far more dominant than my experience and your emails are a really valuable guide.

Gemma Soper

I just want to thank you for all the P4C resources that you have been emailing me.  Our school uses them regularly as we conduct P4C throughout our primary school from foundation to year 6 once a fortnight. Most of our staff are quite new to P4C so your resources  have been greatly appreciated.

Tracey

Athersley South Primary School

A note to thank you for the resources you send weekly. A few years ago I did the SAPRE level 1 P4C course and practiced it for a short while. However my interest has been revamped since recieving your weekly resources and I have now begun to practice it again with the year 6 class that I teach once a week. I am now in senior management and am encouraging others to take this up by observing my sessions and passing on your resources to teachers of older pupils in the school.  Your hard work is much appreciated. Many thanks.

Tara

Thankyou Jason for all these fabulous resources, as a Headteacher of a small primary you have given me so much to work with.

Christine Kirton

Headteacher

Thank you for the either ories stimulus, it was just what I needed to get my reception class really engaged with philosophy. Our final episode involved arriving back at the port and being offered the opportunity to stay and continue exploring or to go home. They absolutely loved it and we are following it up today.

Clare Walsh

Reception teacher

Thank you so much for your email and the inspirational attachments!
I left the first ‘Would You Rather…?’ (bear/snake/monkey) for PPA cover for my Y1 class this morning with very clear instructions on how it should be used and returned to find my TA and class incredibly positive about talking about their feelings and able to articulate their thoughts much more clearly!

A major breakthrough in a class that has found the transition to KS1 very hard so far, even with me as an experienced EYFS/KS1 teacher!! They are immediately more confident in talking through their thinking and gave clear and eager explanations all afternoon!

Let’s hope they can continue to develop their deeper thinking and reasoning skills and the confidence to participate more!

Tina Hammond

Foundation Stage Phase Leader

What an incredible resource!
Many thanks!

Jules

Teacher

Excellent, excellent resources. Thank you very much.

Lisa Chaffer

Teacher

Many thanks for all of your wonderful resources which you have kindly sent to me over the past 18 months. I have thoroughly appreciated all the help and inspiration you have given me. It has been invaluable.

Peter Reader

Thanks a lot for all the good material and great ideas. I’ve been working in Philosophy for Children in Porto, Portugal, since 2015 and I’m getting even more enthusiastic with your help.

Actually, last week i was making some research online about icebreakers and other games to apply with the children, and then i received from you some good examples to try in class. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not!

Marco Antonia

Teacher, Portugal

Thank you for your posts. They have been inspiring, giving me lots to think about and share.They put a new slant on everyday situations, real depth rather than the usual superficial conversations.Regards

Avril Hapley

Teacher

BONUS FOR DAY 1: Tailored resources so philosophy starts in reception and KS1

Much primary school training is focused on KS2, with Early Years teachers left to adapt as they can. Our sequence of a year’s worth of professionally filmed “Spot and Stripe” videos provide the perfect introduction to philosophy for younger children, introducing children to discussion and argument through colourful, fun characters and irresistible questions.

Also in the series…

Cars
Children
Shopkeepers
Grown-ups
Teachers
Time-Travel
Dragons
Jobs
Jokes
The Wild West
Exploring
Letters

Christmas
Sailors
Magic
Superpowers
Pirates
The Park
Seasons
Uniform
Town and countryside
Flying
Animals
Underwater

Books
Tidying
Easter
Friends
Anger
Shapes
Stories
Happiness
Thinking
Boredom
Pets
Technology

Day 2: Observing P4C Workshops in a Local School & Twilight Training

 

In training, there’s always a slight element of, “It worked with us – but will it work with the kids?”

This way, you see P4C in action with children in their own classrooms, from Year R – 6, which is powerful proof of its benefits. It provides visible examples of what our Philosophy Circles approach looks like, and so makes the training all the more grounded and accessible.

During the workshops, we draw attention to our “moves” as facilitators. When one of us is facilitating the workshop, the other will be giving a running commentary to you as observers, linking what you’re watching with what we discussed on Day 1.

After the workshops we’ll hold a 2-hour twilight training deepening your knowledge of facilitation through our new Enquiry Dashboard tool.

 

“All the positive testimonials provided by other schools was certainly a winning factor for us. The P4C training and workshops were simply outstanding.”

I inherited my role as P4C coordinator from my colleague who tasked me with planning a Philosophy Day. I had looked at several workshops and was pleased to stumble across The Philosophy Man website. All the positive testimonials provided by other schools was certainly a winning factor for us. The training and workshops were simply outstanding.

All the staff had basic P4C training but did not know how to use it within their classrooms. This then acted as a CPD opportunity for all staff and this was furthered in the staff meeting. There was a buzz during the staff meeting, which for any member of staff attending a staff meeting at the end of a half term, knows this is a rare thing! All the staff said how enthused and excited they felt to get back into their classrooms and try out the methods they had been shown.

After the workshops, I interviewed some children about their experience. I deliberately picked children who really struggle with the academic side of school life. One child, who had a workshop on bargaining for his life against a Mayan tribe, said “I loved the P4C workshop. It was so much fun to think of reasons why my life was valuable and the best part was, we didn’t have to do any work!”. The children saw the workshops as a chance to express themselves.

Thank you so much for inspiring us to continue with the exemplary training you provided and we look forward to working with you in the future!

Sarah Brown

Dulverton Primary School

This all sounds great, but what will OFSTED say?

With the relentless focus on data, everything schools do has to show an impact on maths and literacy. Fortunately, not only does OFSTED look very favourably on Philosophy for Children, but a recent EEF study demonstrated that it had a positive impact on both maths and literacy scores. We are excited about philosophy for its own sake, but it’s nice to know that it has a benefit for measurable outcomes, and in particular that it helps to diminish the difference between disadvantaged children and their peers.

‘Philosophy for Children is giving pupils the skills they need to present a point of view and become more articulate, thus boosting their confidence

St Matthews School, Westminster

“Impressively, year 2 pupils can identify ethical dilemmas in their fiction books and propose related questions for discussion in philosophy lessons”
“Philosophy lessons challenge pupils to respond to probing questions, such as, “Are all humans connected in some way?”

Churchfields Infant School, South Woodford

The school advises and supports other schools in the use of philosophy with children. This exemplary practice is spreading throughout the school and is having a positive impact on pupils ‘communication and thinking skills and this is beginning to be reflected in their achievement. In an excellent philosophy lesson in the nursery children were challenged to think about the characteristics of two imaginary characters and whether they would change depending on their facial expressions or on what they wear. The curriculum is broad and balanced and meets pupils’ needs well, including the excellent promotion of their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and philosophy.

SparHawk Infant and Nursery School, Norfolk

In a year 5 and 6 philosophy lesson, excellent use was made of a recently released Christmas advertisement for a famous store to encourage pupils to identify sophisticated concepts such as reliability, hope, trust and friendliness. This work made a particularly good contribution to developing their social and moral awareness

North Lakes School, Penrith

‘The thought provoking and exciting curriculum the school has developed over the last two years is an outstanding component of the school’s success (this includes) the development of ‘Philosophy for Children’, a powerful tool which both excites the pupils and gives them the confidence to explore stimulating and challenging ideas and concepts. It not only strengthens their academic learning, but also encourages their empathy for others and gives them insights into the adult world

Ropsley Primary School

“Never have I been on a whole day’s training in which the hours actually fly by too quickly. I cannot recommend this p4c training highly enough!”

I really liked the fact that it was so interactive with constant practical examples – actually doing things and feeling what the activities feel like and what they bring out in terms of thinking. It was great fun too and very inspiring. In fact I couldn’t believe how quickly the whole day went – it flew by because it was so interesting, fun and inspiring. I am a huge fan of P4C and I think your Philosophy Circles approach is not only beautifully simple but beautifully effective too.

Jason and Tom deliver a totally wonderful day’s experience of Philosophy Circles and I say ‘experience’ because the course is packed full of practical activities – inspiring ideas which are shared and experimented with in an atmosphere of co-creative fun. Never have I been on a whole day’s training in which the hours actually fly by too quickly – I am greedy for more! The Philosophy Circles approach makes the inclusion of a philosophical dimension into everyday teaching easy, flexible and totally possible without being a burden in terms of preparation, planning or time management of the curriculum. It can be incorporated into virtually any topic or subject, can be slotted in, take main stage or sit there waiting in the wings for those impromptu moments. Learning how to apply the Philosophy Circles approach is key. Mind-expanding and so much fun – Jason and Tom will give you the tools to put Philosophy Circles into action immediately. I cannot recommend this p4c training highly enough.

Rachel Hutchings

Advisory Teacher, Kent County Council

Before the training, I didn’t have any knowledge to the depths P4C could go with children’s thinking.

Before the training, I wasn’t familiar with the concept of the sessions and what each session could help the children achieve. I didn’t have any knowledge to the depths P4C could go with children’s thinking.

The training was brilliant. I really enjoyed taking part in the activities, as they gave you a good insight in the potential outcomes and focuses throughout a session. The training provided and explained a variety of stimuli and games, which fed into discussing the structure of a P4C session. The training allowed the adult to step into a child’s shoes when taking part in an activity and this enabled us to gain a clear understanding and experience of how a child might feel and what they might be thinking in certain situations, especially if they are unfamiliar to inquiries.

Our school have allocated slots during teacher’s planning time, where we carry out P4C across the school (EY’s-KS2). We use many of the resources that were provided on the training and resources sent via email to assist our teaching. We have generated displays and scrap books to display the children’s work, discussions, stimuli and photos of the sessions.

The continuous support through email is brilliant and is helping massively.

Karla Fogarty

Holy Cross CEVA Primary School

Who’s running your course?

About Jason Buckley


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The Founder and Director of The Philosophy Man. A life-long philosopher and former teacher, English, Jason is now an internationally renowned trainer, writer and speaker on P4C, classroom dialogue and stretching the more-able. He is author of three books, with more in the pipeline. He is also an outdoor educator, storyteller and improviser, and all these skills come together in his lively training, with minimum of Death by PowerPoint.

Click here to find out more about Jason Buckley →

About Tom Bigglestone


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Tom’s courses are incredibly well-received as he continues to do philosophy with classes of children week-in, week-out through residencies alongside his training role. He has been Head of Department at both primary and secondary level, and in both the maintained and private sector. He has specialised for several years in P4C, and in 2014 was awarded The Walter Hines Page scholarship, for which he spent time in the United States researching assessment of philosophical skills.

Click here to find out more about Tom Bigglestone →

How to Book

Please book online below. You’ll get the choice of paying by invoice sent to your school, or through PayPal which includes any card payments.

If you’d rather book by phone or email, or if you have any questions, contact us.

What you receive Standard Premium
Full Day of Training with Jason and Tom
Full Day Observing P4C Workshops with Commentary
Twilight Training After the Workshops – The Enquiry Dashboard
Philosophy Circles Level 1 Accreditation
Copies of Philosophy Circles Handbook 1 10
Copies of Thinkers’ Games 1 10
120 Curriculum-Based Session Plans
Training Videos
BONUS: 39 Spot and Stripe EYFS Videos
Facilitation Articles
BONUS: INSET Plan and “Spreadability” audio
Cost £199+VAT £299+VAT

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Book now


Book now

Bring a Buddy for a day

It’s always good to feel you’re not the ‘lone pioneer’ of P4C at your school, so to encourage schools to send more than one staff member, we are now offering a buddy ticket at £99+VAT.


Book Buddy Ticket

How to Book

Please book online below. You’ll get the choice of paying by invoice sent to your school, or through PayPal which includes any card payments.

If you’d rather book by phone or email, or if you have any questions, contact us.

Book Standard Ticket – £199+VAT

What you receive:

Full Day of Training with Jason and Tom

Full Day of Pupil Workshops with Commentary

Twilight Training following Pupil Workshops

1 copy of Thinkers Game, 1 copy of Philosophy Circles

Chance to complete Philosophy Circles Level 1 Accreditation


Book 1 Day Ticket

Book Premium Ticket – £299+VAT

What you receive:

Everything from the Standard Package, plus all the following:

10 Copies of Philosophy Circles Handbooks and Thinkers Games

150 Curriculum-based Session Plans

Facilitation Articles

INSET Plan and “Spreadability” Audio


Book 2 Day Ticket

Bring a Buddy for a day

It’s always good to feel you’re not the ‘lone pioneer’ of P4C at your school, so to encourage schools to send more than one staff member, we are now offering a buddy ticket at £99+VAT.


Book 1 Day Buddy Ticket

Course information

The course will be held at Laycock Professional Development Centre, Islington, N1 1TH

Click here for map and public transport options

9.02 start, and finishing at 3.27. (Yes, those really are the times!)

How to get there

Any questions?

If you have any questions, or would like to make a booking in person, please fill in this form. We’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.

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