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Thinking through Philosophy – Using Dialogic Teaching

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Thinking through Philosophy – Using Dialogic Teaching

Created By Sally Betteridge
Last Updated April 18th, 2025

Programme Overview

Topic

A Practical Course Exploring What is Meant by Philosophy with Young Learners and How to Implement this in the Classroom to Enhance Cognition, Thinking Skills, Oracy and Social Skills

Delivery Model

Face to Face sessions

What’s Included

Certificate of attendance

Course material (if applicable)

Lunch and refreshments

Cost

AED 1320 plus 5% VAT per delegate

Registration

Please fill out the booking form to register.

If you would like bespoke in-school training, please contact Paola (paola@infinitelearning.ae) for more information.

Target audience

Primary Teachers, English and subject Leads, Senior Leaders, Curriculum Leads.

Aims of the course

Develop educators’ understanding of the role of philosophical thinking in primary education and its impact on learning.
Provide practical strategies for integrating philosophy into classroom discussions to enhance reasoning, oracy, and critical thinking.
Equip teachers with the skills and confidence to facilitate philosophical enquiry using engaging stimuli such as stories, images, and real-world dilemmas.
Explore effective questioning techniques that promote deep thinking and meaningful dialogue among students.
Offer hands-on experience with using philosophical approaches to create a thinking-rich classroom environment.
Inspire educators to embed philosophical thinking across the curriculum, fostering curiosity, reflection, and collaborative learning.

Intended outcomes

By the end of this course, educators will:

Understand why philosophical thinking is a vital element in the learning process.
Leave with a toolkit of evidence-based techniques to enhance classroom dialogue and critical thinking.
Feel inspired, motivated, and equipped to foster deeper thinking, collaboration, and meaningful discussions in their classrooms.

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Sally Betteridge

10 Courses

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Sally Betteridge has dedicated 23 years to the field of education, beginning her journey with teacher training at Cambridge University, specialising in Primary and Middle school English She started her teaching career as an Upper Key Stage 2 teacher in Nottinghamshire, UK. After four years, Sally became a Lead Teacher for Primary English and Thinking through Philosophy, working across Nottinghamshire schools as a Teaching and Learning Coach and CPD leader for whole school staff. She later advanced to the role of Lead Teacher Consultant in Nottingham City, supporting primary schools to improve English teaching. In this role, she led CPD sessions, team-taught lessons, created planning materials, and developed whole-school curricula that resulted in excellent school improvement outcomes. Sally then transitioned to higher education, becoming an Assistant Professor of Primary Education at the University of Nottingham. There, she led the Teach First program and lectured on the School Direct courses. She co-wrote and led a new forward thinking Primary PGCE program at the university, awarded outstanding by OFSTED, and is now the lead Primary PGCE in the United Kingdom. She also lectured English across various programs. She also lectured on the international PGCE in the UAE. Holding a master’s degree in Creativity, Arts, Literacies, and Learning from the University of Nottingham, Sally has contributed to research on creative curriculum change, Primary English, and thinking skills. She also participated in the Reading for Pleasure research project at the Open University. She is a trained practitioner for the BFI Institute, promoting the use of short films in primary teaching, She has taught and led English In Primary schools in the UAE for the last 5 years in 2 Emirates, Ras Al Khaimah and a Grade 4 teacher at North London Collegiate School. She has also lectured on the Primary PGCE at The University of Birmingham. In addition to her extensive background in primary education, Sally is passionate about mental health and well-being and a certified Youth Mental Health First Aider. She holds 2 certificates for the wellbeing Educator level 1 course and the advanced course. She is also a trained Reiki practitioner. Currently, Sally teaches the NPQ programs for Leading Teaching and Leading Literacy, continuing her commitment to improving education and supporting both students and educators.

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This full-day training session will explore how philosophical thinking can enrich learning in the primary classroom, helping children develop deeper reasoning, critical thinking, and dialogue skills. Through a combination of research insights, practical strategies, and hands-on activities, teachers will gain the confidence to facilitate rich philosophical discussions that engage and challenge learners. Led by an experienced facilitator, who has trained multiple schools in the U.K, the session will include: An exploration of how philosophy supports oracy, reasoning, deeper learning, social skills and well-being.

Practical strategies for using stories, images, and real-world dilemmas to spark discussion. Techniques for effective questioning and facilitating meaningful classroom dialogue. A step-by-step guide to running a Philosophy with young learners. Hands-on activities to experience and reflect on the power of philosophical thinking.

DAY 1
8:45	Registration and refreshments
9:00	Introductions Brief overview of the day’s objectives Why Philosophy? The Role of Thinking in Learning Understanding the benefits of philosophical thinking in primary education Exploring how philosophy supports oracy, reasoning, and deeper learning Discussion: What does philosophical thinking look like in your classroom? Practical activity: Engaging in a short philosophical enquiry to experience the process firsthand
10:30	Coffee break
11:00	Creating a Thinking Classroom Key elements of a thinking-rich environment Strategies for questioning and dialogue that promote deeper thinking Practical activities: Using stories, pictures, and scenarios as stimuli for discussion Encouraging critical and creative thinking through structured talk Effective questioning techniques to develop reasoning skills Reflection: How can we build this into daily practice?
13:00	Lunch break
14:00	Philosophy in Action: Running a Philosophical Enquiry Step-by-step guide to facilitating a Philosophy Session Practical workshop: Choosing and using stimuli Developing open-ended questions Structuring an enquiry and guiding discussions Managing different responses and perspectives Peer-led enquiry: Teachers facilitate and reflect on a discussion Action planning: Next steps for introducing and sustaining philosophical thinking in your classroom Closing Reflections and Q&A Key takeaways from the day Questions and discussion Resources and follow-up support
15:30	End