Summary and contents
This resource is the main about page of the Philosophy4Children site.
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Subjects: Philosophy4Children, philosophy for children, p4c, philosophy, children, education, teaching, training, classroom
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About us
Dot Lenton
Dot has been involved with Philosophy for Children (P4C) for many years, working with children from inner-city primary schools as well as rural schools. She was head teacher in a small rural school, where she introduced P4C as a result of seeing the need for children to think for themselves. Her experience extends to working with teachers, governors and other adults. She was a consultant for the Primary Strategy for Norfolk Advisory Service. She is presently an inspector for church schools and a Diocesan School Support Officer.
“The direct teaching of thinking skills and the implementation of these, together with the philosophical approach to all lessons and the life of the school, leads teachers to have high expectations of pupils ability to think for themselves.” OFSTED 2002
Barbara Vidion
Barbara came to teaching after previously working with vulnerable groups, including psychiatric patients and social service clients. Her interest in P4C started in 1998 when working as a teacher with Dot, and became the basis for all her teaching.
“As a result of this underlying philosophy pupils are interested in all they do and put a considerable amount of effort into their learning” OFSTED 2002
Working together
As a team, Dot and Barbara developed a philosophical basis for the whole school life. They became involved in action research in the classroom as part of Thinking Schools, Thinking Children, instigated by Norfolk County Advisory Service. They used results of the research with the National Small Schools Conference and led teachers from schools from around the UK in practical sessions. In response to the interest in work being carried out in the school, they took groups of children to different venues to demonstrate their skills in philosophical debate. They continue to work with schools, providing training for staff and demonstration lessons with children.