Testimonials and case studies from schools

Case Study: Expanding the Reach of Philosophical Enquiry Beyond the Classroom
 

Louise Chatterton, a TPF philosophy Specialist at Westbourne Primary, Sutton, has been with the school for several years. She routinely encourages her students to take home the philosophical questions discussed during class, urging them to engage their families and siblings in these important discussions. This practice began with a simple hope—that these ideas would live on beyond the classroom.

Years later, Louise began to witness the remarkable ripple effect of this approach. Younger siblings, who had been engaged by their older brothers and sisters debating and reflecting on these philosophical questions at home, were arriving in Louise’s classes not as blank slates but as active participants. They had already been exposed to the ideas and were eager to build on these discussions, often bringing with them insights from conversations held at their dinner tables.

This grassroots extension of philosophy into the home is a powerful demonstration of how philosophical education can permeate beyond individual students, embedding itself in the broader fabric of family life and community discourse. By fostering critical thinking, open dialogue, and mutual understanding among families, philosophy creates a shared space where children and their families collaboratively explore ethical, social, and intellectual questions. This deepens relationships, improves communication, and develops critical reasoning skills across generations.

Moreover, Louise’s experience underscores the long-term, sustainable impact of philosophy education. It enriches not just the lives of individual students but also transforms the home environment, creating opportunities for younger children to engage early with complex ideas, thereby setting them on a path toward greater intellectual and emotional growth. These outcomes align directly with our mission to foster critical thinking, metacognition, and perspective-taking in children, equipping them with the skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex world.

In this way, philosophy’s influence extends far beyond the classroom, contributing to stronger, more thoughtful communities and fostering an enduring culture of inquiry and reflection that benefits not only students but society as a whole.

Daniel Miracapillo

Headteacher at Westbourne Primary School, Sutton

"I have been reading the Y5s end-of-year reports and many children have specifically commented on enjoying philosophy as it gives them to chance to think, express their opinions and discuss with others – thank you and well done!"

Helen Holland

The Cotswold School Academy

"The day [of philosophy] was a huge success. I was fortunate enough to be in with a group at the end - they were engaged, taking part, focused. It was lovely to see this side of some students who have in the past been problematic. Feedback throughout the day from the students that I saw was very positive … Teachers who were supervising were very impressed with the activities and also how the team dealt with discussion - facilitating deeper questions and dealing with any issues. 

It has been a real pleasure to have The Philosophy Foundation back at The Cotswold School and hopefully we can continue this in the future."