Philosophy for children

Bringing the benefits of philosophy to young people

National Thinking Classroom Awards

Recognising schools that provide 'a space to think'

Philosophy for adults

Get involved with our courses and resources

Don't just take our word for it...

... Read praise for our work

What is philosophy?

Why we believe everyone can and should do it

Thinking Changes

Our Mission

Our mission is to bring understanding, wisdom and eudaimonia (flourishing) to the heart of education for children and adults. We believe that reasoning skills developed through philosophical enquiry are an indispensable foundation of all aspects of learning and that Philosophy, like maths, music or physical education, is intrinsically worth doing and intrinsically engaging.

We asked some of our philosophers why they chose to do philosophy, here's what they said...

Free Philosophy Courses

Transformative Opportunity for Secondary Schools: The Ethics Cup

In an era dominated by social media, fake news, and divisive soundbites, the ability to engage in constructive, critical discourse is more crucial than ever. Preparing students to navigate this landscape with wisdom and insight is essential for their success and for the health of our society. The Philosophy Foundation (TPF), in collaboration with the Royal Institute of Philosophy (TRIP) and The London Ethics Cup, is excited to offer a fully funded, six-week philosophy course culminating in participation in The Ethics Cup.

Why Participate?

Enhance Critical Thinking: Equip your students with the skills to think critically and reason effectively,
Develop Reasoning and Communication Skills: Enable students to engage in substantive arguments, nurturing a culture of thoughtful and informed public discourse.
Lifelong Impact: students will develop metacognition, ethical reasoning, and collaborative problem-solving. Students will learn to think and act more wisely, preparing them to navigate a rapidly changing world with resilience.

Join the Ethics Cup: Your students will be coached and supported to compete to participate in the Ethics Cup, a prestigious tournament in which teams of high school students match with each other discussing ethical issues of public concern. Teams are judged on judged on insightfulness, thoughtfulness, and civility.

How to Get Involved

Eligibility: Open to education providers of 16-18-year-olds who do not offer A-Level Philosophy courses. Priority will be given to schools with higher Pupil Premium/FSM.
Costs: The course is free. Registration to the Ethics Cup costs £20 for schools that qualify for reduced fees, and £70 for those that do not. The Ethics Cup organisers also provide subsidies for costs associated with taking part in the Cup, such as travel costs.

Apply Now: Applications are open until 21st June.
ONLINE APPLICATION FORM
For more information or questions, please contact us at info@philosophy-foundation.org

Bring philosophy to life in your school and empower your students with the skills to succeed both academically and personally!

Young Plato Documentary & Resources

Young Plato is an observational documentary is set in post-conflict Belfast's Ardoyne, where a marginalized working-class community has for generations been plagued by poverty, drugs and guns. The film charts the dream of Headmaster Kevin McArevey and his dedicated, visionary team illustrating how critical thinking and pastoral care can empower and encourage children to see beyond the boundaries and limitations of their own community. We see how philosophy can encourage them to question the mythologies of war and of violence, and sometimes challenge the narratives their parents, peers, and socio-economic group would dictate.

The Philosophy Foundation started working with Holy Cross Boys' Primary School in Belfast in 2014 and as a partner school we have had the privilege to work closely with Kevin and the staff at Holy Cross Boys' since then.

We have worked with Soilsiu Films to develop educational resources that can be used alongside this film, including lesson plans and strategies for doing philosophy with children that address issues of emotional literacy and critical thinking.