Now running at Dovedale Primary, Booker Avenue Junior School, Bishop Martin CE School, Greenbank Primary, Carleton House Preparatory School, and De Aston School, weeklyYoung Philosophers Training sessions offer students an engaging platform to explore big ideas while building critical, creative, collaborative, and caring thinking skills. Rooted in the ‘Community of Inquiry’ method, these sessions foster thoughtful discussion, nurture positive character traits, and introduce key areas of philosophy such as moral philosophy, metaphysics, and epistemology, alongside insights from inspirational thinkers.

Each session follows six steps:

1. Think About It – A short story, image, object, or video sparks curiosity.
2. The Big Question – Either introduced by the facilitator or democratically chosen by participants.
3. Reflection Time – Students craft their arguments and reasons individually.
4. Small Group Discussions – Ideas are shared, tested, and debated in pairs or groups.
5. Whole Group Inquiry – The facilitator guides open discussion, encouraging fairness, focus, and collaboration.
6. Final Reflections – Students reflect on how their views evolved and key insights gained.

YPT sessions are lively, thought-provoking, and fun, with warm-up activities like ‘Would You Rather?’, logic puzzles, and lateral thinking challenges to kickstart creativity. These sessions encourage mental discipline, self-control, and a willingness to engage with big ideas.

Sessions run in half-termly blocks with young philosophers working on skills of participation, communication, character, facilitation, and presentation. After three blocks of sessions, participants are eligible to enter for the bronze award, with grading based upon progress in the areas mentioned above, and a short presentation delivered to the rest of the group on a topic of their own choosing. Once achieved, the silver award is worked towards, followed by gold. As the young philosophers progress through the awards, challenge increases, and particular roles and responsibilities are assigned. For each level attained, a certificate, owl wisdom badge, and prize is awarded.

Ready to spark philosophical curiosity? Visit our Event Booking Page for current sessions or contact info@thethinkerhub.com to explore starting your own YPT group—in person or online. Let’s build a community of thinkers!