Philosophy for Children (P4C) is taught throughout the school.

It is a community of enquiry based approach to open up children’s learning through the exploration of ideas. They are taught how to create their own philosophical questions. Dialogues are prompted by a stimulus (eg. a story, poem, image, video clip and picture books) and are based around a concept such as ‘truth’, ‘fairness’ or ‘bullying’.

The aim of P4C is to help children become more willing and able to ask questions, construct arguments and engage in reasoned discussion. It is based on exploring concepts rather than ‘hands-on’ activities or delivering information or skills.

P4C gives children the opportunity to see that their ideas have value and that others might have different ideas which also have value, as well as the chance to speak and be heard without fear of getting the answer wrong.

P4C has a positive outcome on children’s confidence to speak, to have patience when listening to others, whilst raising self-esteem, general well-being and happiness.

There is also an impact across the curriculum – raising standards in writing through development of oracy skills - improving fluency of expression and explanation, Children also become better at taking turns and listening to each other. In the playground, negotiation is in evidence as a result of using it in P4C.

‘P4c has a huge impact on speaking and listening and building on each other’s ideas.’

‘It is fascinating to see children who are usually quiet or more reticent develop their thinking and become more confident.’