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Training & support

SAPERE Accredited P4C Training

The Society for the Advancement of Philosophical Enquiry and Reflection in Education is the national charity for philosophy for children, a pedagogy developed by Matthew Lipman and Ann Margaret Sharp at Montclair University.

Training pathway in P4C for schools or other learning environments

The Core Course – Level 1-3

SAPERE offers a professional learning pathway which develops beginner, intermediate and advanced P4C practice. The pathway consists of courses at three levels and each course covers six compulsory modules which address essential aspects of good P4C practice: Experience, Theorise, Plan, Facilitate, Evaluate and Apply.

Those who complete all six modules at each level receive a Certificate of Attendance.

The Complete Course – Modules 1-8

We encourage delegates to take two further self-directed modules that focus on Practice and Evidence.

Those who complete these courses receive a Certificate of Achievement. They are also eligible to apply for P4C Fellowship.

Bespoke Courses

We offer some bespoke versions of Level One course, where the specific expertise of the trainer and the examples given are unique to a particular context or priority.

These courses currently include P4C throughout the curriculum (run with The Philosophy Man) and P4C in arts, culture and heritage settings.

Complementary Sessions

These optional sessions complement our beginner, intermediate and advanced courses and support a diverse range of training needs and special interests.

  • Lead P4C supports practitioners to shape the development of their colleagues’ P4C practice (three 90-minute sessions online).
  • Extend P4C offers a range of ways to develop philosophy in settings or subjects and to develop new skills. e.g. SEND, literacy, challenging issues (usually 90 minutes).
  • Embed P4C focuses on planning P4C across all areas of the curriculum.
  • Refresh P4C is for those who feel rusty and need a recap of the basics.
  • Innovate P4C combines P4C with various complementary pedagogies, to explore new ways to philosophies e.g. outdoor enquiry, dramatic enquiry (usually a whole day).
  • Explore P4C is a self-lef route to engage with philosophical literature and media.

Getting Started

For those unsure about embarking on the pathway we offer several ways to get a taste for P4C before you commit.

  • Experience P4C is a stand-alone introduction. Delegated who complete this module receive a discount of the rest of the course.
  • Observe P4C is for those who wish to understand how P4C might work in their context, we offer Observe P4C as a live demo followed by a reflective debrief.
  • Consider P4C is a free online taster for those who are completely unfamiliar with P4C

SAPERE P4C Training, or visit our SAPERE website for more information about our training courses including information on our Awards and pathways for embedding P4C in your school or learning environment.