In Conversation: P4C and RE

**This event took place on 12th June 2024**

Join teachers from Larkmead School (Oxfordshire), Grey Coat Hospital C of E School (London) and William Howard School (Cumbria) with SAPERE Project Manager, Jane Yates.

In this SAPERE “In Conversation” webinar, we will be exploring the pedagogy and impact of Philosophy for Children (P4C) across Religious Education (RE) and Philosophy Departments.

This FREE webinar is aimed primarily at secondary RE and Philosophy teachers and educators. Subject leaders and in primary RE and are also encouraged.

This online event will bring together experienced subject-specific P4C practitioners to navigate a series of topical questions, such as:

• What are the unique qualities that P4C brings for your students in the RE and/or Philosophy department?
• How do you plan for P4C enquiries and exercises across different Key Stages?
• What has been the impact of bringing subjects and staff in science and RE together through P4C training?
• How can P4C contribute to a disciplinary approach in RE?
• What is the value in P4C for students studying A Level Philosophy and Religious Studies?

The event will be hosted by Jane Yates, a SAPERE P4C Trainer and Project Manager for the Thinking Together in Science and RE Project. Jane is also the North-West RE Hubs Lead and RE Adviser for her local SACRE.

Sam McKavanagh, Larkmead School (Oxfordshire)
Sam is a secondary school Head of Department for Philosophy, Religion and Sociology, who passionately believes in the power of talk to transform the classroom and fully unlock student potential. His department has a P4C Bronze Award and P4C is embedded in all Key Stages – Sam loves to make the use of picture books and sees these as a valuable tool even with A-Level students in exploring Philosophical and Sociological concepts. Sam is currently working on developing P4C and Oracy across his school and academy trust.

John James, Grey Coat Hospital C of E School (London)
John James is the Head of RE and Professional Mentor at the Grey Coat Hospital, a Church of England academy near Victoria in the London Borough of Westminster.  As the Induction Co-ordinator and Professional Co-ordinating Mentor he is not only committed to the teaching of RE but to developing teachers as professionals more broadly.  Since his initial encounter with P4C he has made concept-based learning and the development of questioning skills key features of the RE department’s curriculum and pedagogy; these have contributed to outstanding gradings in the last three SIAMS inspections. He is keen for the recent work with SAPERE and the science department to inform and shape teaching and learning across the school.

Jim Connolly, William Howard School (Cumbria)

Jim Connolly is an experienced educational leader who currently Curriculum Lead for Religious Education and Philosophy at a large comprehensive school in Cumbria. Over the last decade Jim has transformed the department’s curriculum placing P4C approaches at the heart of everything they do. This strategic approach has led to strong academic outcomes and high levels of staff and student satisfaction. This year the RE and Philosophy department achieved the P4C Bronze Award and  Jim has presented on the developmental process at the first national APT (Association of Philosophy Teachers) conference.

All delegates attending this event will also receive a free digital resource full of classroom resources for P4C and RE.

**This event took place on 12th June 2024**