Philosopher Kings and Queens at King’s
Working in partnership with the University of Kent, the King’s School has recently established the fledgling ‘East Kent Philosophy Teachers’ Network’, the purpose of which is to promote philosophical enquiry in local schools and to encourage greater communication and cooperation between those involved in the teaching of philosophy.
King’s staged their first major Philosophy event: a Philosophy conference for Sixth Form students. Around 150 visitors arrived in the morning to join 40 of King’s Philosophy and Religious Studies students to follow a busy schedule of short talks, activities and conversations with other philosophers. Several lecturers came from the Philosophy Department at the University of Kent to offer their expertise in areas such as the problem of free will, and the ethical issues surrounding euthanasia and criminal punishment. There were also authors of the A level Philosophy text books who led sessions exploring philosophical ideas through games. Students from the university also came to give advice on how to write like a philosopher and to answer questions about undergraduate study for those who might be considering continuing their philosophical studies after Sixth Form. Teachers were provided with their own parallel sessions looking into ways of best delivering aspects of the Philosophy and Religious Studies specifications and sharing ideas on how to engage students in philosophy and to prepare them for their exams.
The day ended with some impressive presentations from students from Kent College, Dover Girls’ Grammar and King’s on topics of their own choosing for which small prizes were awarded. The response to the day from the visitors was enthusiastic and plans are already afoot for this to become an annual event rotating around different Schools in the network.
