Anne Echevarria

Anne is Philosopher in Residence for the North-East Primary Innovation Network, visiting lecturer in P4C on the Newcastle University PGCE programme and, as a qualified Early Years Educator and Montessori Trainer, also has experience of introducing philosophical play to children aged 3-5.

Anne has a long-standing interest in pedagogies that nurture oracy, creativity and metacognition and has worked with many teams from nursery schools to nursing schools, clown doctors to museums educators, Northumbria Police to BBC Learning – any group interested in exploring how best to develop a culture of enquiry, creative learning and reflective practice within their organisation, community or curriculum. 

In her work with Diversity Role Models, a national anti-bullying charity, she developed expertise in using philosophical enquiry to engage polarised groups in difficult conversations to help bridge divisions and foster mutual understanding.  As well as using P4C to support social cohesion and relationship building agendas between schools and their local communities, she is now integrating the approach into her work with the NE Prison Education team.

She has written a variety of publications including Thinking Through School, a narrative-based enquiry into learning and thinking for 9-11 year olds, which won the National Education Resources Book of the Year award.

She lives on the Northumberland coast with her wife and son.