Philosophical Enlightenment – South East London Style | Latest press releases | PressGo

London, 26 January 2009: Lewisham is leading the way in delivering the critical benefits of philosophy to British primary school pupils, with
15 primary schools across the borough now having a ‘resident philosopher’ on staff.

Specialist educational service provider The Philosophy Shop now has a number of philosophers available for schools in SE13, involving such schools as Eliot Bank, Grinling Gibbons, Perrymount, Sandhurst, Holy Trinity, St Marys, St Winifreds Juniors and Infants, Horniman, All Saints, John Ball, Brindishe, Hither Green, St Margarets, Ashmead and Rathfern Primary School.

Lewisham primary schoolers are thus being encouraged to think critically and ethically about issues like responsibility, how we know things and about what exists, through exposure to the challenges of Western philosophical thought.

“It is extremely important that we encourage children to think, and early exposure to philosophy has been found to do just this,” believes The Philosophy Shop's founder and Director Peter Worley. “Educational authorities like Lewisham are leading the way by teaching children to become more considered thinkers.”

Worley points out that teachers and other education professionals observing these Lewisham philosophy classes report an increase in reasoning skills in young pupils, with youngsters saying they are learning how to approach problems more creatively, to think more deeply and better appreciate another point of view to their own.

Lewisham’s Education Department has been awarded the top rating of three stars by education watchdog Ofsted and has been praised for its schools improving at a faster rate than any other area in the country.

For more information about the ‘Philosophy in Primary Schools’ programme, its services in Lewisham, visit www.thephilosophyshop.co.uk

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For further information contact Amanda Jane PR:
Email - info@amandajanepr.com
Tel: 020 7704 1585 / 07920 052 160

Notes to Editors:
o Last year UNESCO published a study looking at the benefits of teaching philosophy at pre-school and primary levels, concluding, "[We] consider the teaching of philosophy to be necessary and something to be reckoned with." http://portal.unesco.org/shs/en/ev.php-URL_ID=11575&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

o Meanwhile, a 2007 study by Dundee University (2007) suggested that confronting core philosophical debates as the nature of existence, ethics and knowledge can raise children's IQ by up to 6.5 points and improve emotional intelligence. The research also found that philosophy in schools promotes certain speaking and listening skills, as well as sustained reasoning skills over time. http://www.clacksweb.org.uk/site/documents/psychologicalservice/evaluationofclackmannanshirethinkingskillsinitiative/

o The Philosophy Shop promotes the practical application of philosophy in the community. It supports and promotes the teaching of philosophy in primary school children, as well as philosophy summer schools, philosophy groups and philosophical counselling. The Philosophy Shop is committed to the fact that through the rational investigation of existence, ethics and knowledge children are able to realise lots of benefits, including raised IQ, raised self-confidence and improved emotional intelligence. The company provides training for qualified philosophers on how to practically employ philosophical methods in a classroom situation. The programme brings philosophy to bear on the national curriculum and teaches classes of primary school children to think critically and ethically about themes raised there. The Philosophy Shop also offers teachers training in how to enhance their teaching methods through philosophical techniques. http://www.thephilosophyshop.co.uk