Southgate School

Vision

At Southgate School we believe that, regardless of ability, ethnicity, gender, beliefs or personal circumstances, Philosophy for Children (P4C) teaches children to develop into effective, critical and creative thinkers and to take responsibility for their own learning in a caring and collaborative environment by providing practical ways of developing good thinking, questioning and communication skills. Children will be provided with a variety of experiences and a tailored curriculum which will allow them to reach their own potential.

 

Curriculum Intentions

Our aim is to ensure that all teachers and staff:

  • Encourage children to be clear within their vocabulary and understanding of language.
  • Are clear in their understanding and responsibilities when making deliberate judgements.
  • Encourage children to explore the beliefs and values of others and to develop their own views.
  • To provide opportunities for quiet thinking and reflection.
  • Encourage children to be more thoughtful by basing their actions and reasons; by thinking critically and creatively and to develop morally and socially.
  • To use P4C to enhance the quality of learning and raise standards of attainment and achievement.
  • To develop higher levels of self esteem, greater independence and improved behaviour through the development of caring attitude towards peers.
  • To be able to express needs and wants clearly and coherently.
  • To allow children the opportunity to have autonomy over their own choices and to recognise that they have a choice.
  • To give children to confidence to express their own views.
  • To enable children to become more reasonable individuals and in turn to become more reasonable adults.

 

The Journey from Semi-Formal to Formal

Pupil’s joining Southgate School join either the formal or semi-formal curriculum. At the Semi- formal level pupils are developing their sense of self and awareness of others. This will be done through consistent modelling, careful resourcing and the introduction of external stimuli where appropriate. This will focus mainly on their immediate environment and time moving towards acknowledgement of more external contexts over time.

At the formal stage pupils will follow a structured challenges to develop their Creative, Collaborative, Critical and Caring thinking skills in order to challenge themselves and others beliefs, viewpoints and understandings of concepts.