Philosophy and Thinking Skills

Progression in Skills and CoverageThinking Skills Leaflet

Intent

We use the Philosophy for Children (P4C) framework which offers pupils a unique opportunity to develop lifelong thinking skills that will help them navigate the world beyond school. Our aim is to nurture well-rounded individuals and future citizens by forming communities of enquiry rooted in the 4Cs of P4C: creative, caring, collaborative, and critical thinking. Children engage with a variety of stimuli, challenging themselves to think deeply and broadly. They develop confident speaking and listening skills within a respectful environment where the shared pursuit of truth is paramount.

Implementation

Unlike traditional subjects, P4C sessions are facilitated rather than  taught. Children are introduced to a stimulus - such as a picture, music, or poem - and invited to share their initial thoughts and responses. These ideas are then connected to big concepts like love, democracy, peace, or life. From here, pupils form questions that spark philosophical discussion. The group selects the most thought-provoking questions to explore as a community of thinkers.

Children’s reflections and discussions are recorded in P4C portfolios that follow them through their school journey, allowing them to build on their skills year after year.

P4C looks different across year groups: Reception children focus on understanding what makes a good question, while Year 5 pupils might explore complex topics such as the nature of war and peace. Older pupils are encouraged to lead enquiries independently, fostering autonomy in their thinking.

Impact

P4C positively influences pupils’ attainment across all subjects by embedding critical thinking and reflection into everyday learning. It equips children with tools to articulate and solve both academic and personal challenges independently, reducing their reliance on adult intervention.

Regular P4C sessions greatly enhance pupils’ speaking and listening abilities. Through active participation, children gain self-confidence and learn how to skilfully navigate social situations. They come to appreciate the power of dialogue in addressing complex problems and experience validation as their opinions and feelings are respected by peers and staff alike.

This practice fosters happier, more thoughtful, and productive members of society who value respectful enquiry and collaborative problem-solving.

For our fantastic philosophy provision we received a Silver Award by SAPERE during the summer 2025. Read all about it here!