Education: Philosophy Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Education: Philosophy

Baroness Blower Excerpts
Tuesday 1st November 2022

(2 years ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Barran Portrait Baroness Barran (Con)
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If the House will forgive me, I am not sure I am entirely familiar with the term “A-levelisation”, but what I do know is that many more students are studying philosophy—almost twice as many in our universities—than are taking the A-level, so whatever we are doing at A-level is equipping our students to choose philosophy as an option later on.

Baroness Blower Portrait Baroness Blower (Lab)
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Is the Minister aware that many primary schools in England follow a course and teach philosophy for children and that they achieved some very interesting results? Would she be interested in meeting some of these practitioners to discuss how this functions in a primary setting?

Baroness Barran Portrait Baroness Barran (Con)
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I would be absolutely delighted to meet the teachers that the noble Baroness recommends. She will be aware that the disciplines of critical thinking are throughout our curriculum, including in the early years and foundation stages.