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About John
"Personable, informed professional who spoke 'our language', had had real experiences and enthused so much about P4C it's catching. In short, totally relevant and useful."
(London Secondary School teacher G&T co-ordinator)
Available for:
- Key note speeches
- School INSET
- SAPERE Level 1 courses*
- Workshops: students / staff / conference
- In-class staff support
A consultant and trainer in Philosophical / Critical Thinking Skills, John gained his degree in Philosophy from the University of London. He has worked as a teacher in London and Oxfordshire for twelve years, eight of which as Head of Religion and Philosophy as well as Citizenship coordinator. In July 2006 John left teaching to set up his own consultancy Enquiring Minds UK.
John is an Associate Tutor at Oxford Brookes University and has designed and continues to deliver courses for London Gifted and Talented. John works closely with schools providing training and consultancy support to develop independent, creative, reflective and collaborative thinkers across the curriculum.
Before teaching John was a Deputy Director of 'The Passage' a charity providing services to the Homeless in Central London, where he was also Manager of the Westminster Cathedral Nightshelter. In this capacity John worked closely with the Home Office on the Rough Sleepers Initiative.
Why John is passionate about P4C
"Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school"
Albert Einstein
Too extreme? Perhaps, but as educators I think we all have some sympathy. As a Head of Department I would regularly ask myself: What do I want to endure in students from my lessons? Of course, I would be delighted if they could remember much of what they were taught but, more than that, the answer always came back in the form of skills and dispositions without which they would be unlikely to learn much at all. I would want them to be good at thinking logically, to be constructively critical in their approach to the media and those who seek to influence them, to be imaginative, thinking 'outside the box'. I would want them to be good at listening, thoughtful in their reaction to others and to new ideas. Above all I would want them to be co-operative, respectful of others and creative in how they use their own talents to live fulfilled lives.
Increasingly these very skills and dispositions are becoming recognised as essential by educators, employers and the government, a rare consensus in aim at least. Such skills are at the heart of the human experience, our relationships, work and role in the wider community. As we look to the 21st Century, the world will need individuals who can think creatively, caringly, collaboratively and critically to meet the many environmental, political and economic challenges that lie ahead.
How can we as teachers deliver an education that develops these qualities? With fourteen years in the classroom I never had more success than when using the Philosophy for Children pedagogy. Students would burst with enthusiasm not just at the end of lessons but also at home. Research over the last 30 years, in 60 countries has shown that results, behaviour and self-esteem have all improved significantly when the method is practised with students of any age delivered through any subject.
Students Comments:
"P4C is the only place where I get to think in school" Sarah Yr 9
"Philosophy allows me to express my true feelings, and trains us to argue and put our point across - a great training for life" Jessie Yr 6
"P4C makes you really think." Mark Yr 5
"P4C makes you a good questioner" Tom Yr 10
For more information please, contact John
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