Specialist Philosophy Teachers
Training Pathway with The Philosophy Foundation
In order to become a specialist philosophy teacher with The Philosophy Foundation you will need to follow the programme of accreditation as shown below:
Stage 1
Anyone can attend our Two Day Stage 1 Training Course.
Prices and full details of the course are in the ‘Stage 1’ section.
This two-day course is an introduction to Philosophical Enquiry (PhiE) as practised by The Philosophy Foundation, and will give you experience and the theory behind the PhiE method.
The two-day course is fun and practical and it is an opportunity to develop new skills and practices. Many people who have come on the course have used what they have learnt in various situations, including classroom practice, developing adult philosophy groups and job interviews.
Following our Stage 1 course you can use and apply the knowledge and skills you have learnt in a variety of professional and informal situations. By attending Stage 1 you will also receive:
- a certificate of attendance,
- a copy of our flagship book The If Machine (or alternative),
- and the Stage 1 handbook which fully details our practice and method.
Accreditation
Philosophy graduates may apply to become an Accredited Philosophy Teacher with The Philosophy Foundation after Stage 1.
There is no further fee for the accreditation process
Becoming an Accredited Philosophy Teacher with The Philosophy Foundation means becoming a member of a group of philosophers who can share ideas, experiences and good practice. We offer regular get-togethers and a range of continued professional development opportunities. You will be supported in your practice in the classroom, and it will mean you will be endorsed to use our name. You will also be advertised on our website and have unrestricted access to the resources on the website. Please note, that although we support and offer work to those who become accredited through us, we cannot guarantee work at this stage.
The application process involves:
- a CRB check,
- a letter of recommendation,
- and a phone or face-to-face interview with our Senior Leadership Team.
Successful applicants will teach 5 assessed lessons of philosophy with one-to-one support from a mentor. After passing this final aspect of the training you will become an Accredited Specialist and be able to move through the levels outlined in the document at the bottom of this page.
If you pass at Level 1 you will be asked to continue your practice in the classroom, and may well receive remuneration for your time. If you pass at Level 2, we will work with you to help find you work in the classroom.
Stage 2
Accredited Specialists may apply.
The Stage 2 course is required training in order to pass through our Levels. For full details and prices please visit our Stage 2 section.
Level Descriptions
Training with us in on going and through working with us you can increase your experience and expertise by going through our Levels. The document below outlines compulsory elements of our training, and expected abilities at each stage of your work.
