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Independent school pioneers philosophy initiative

Posted on 19th November 2008

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Philosophical discussions help students to think creatively, it has been argued.

Emma Williams is a recent postgraduate philosophy student who has been recruited by prestigious independent school Rugby as its philosopher-in-residence, reports the Telegraph.

The pilot programme of the scheme was launched recently at the institution, catering for over 70 pupils and teachers both from Rugby and other local schools.

It is hoped that the scheme will make the transition to university easier for these students, who are being equipped with knowledge about basic philosophical principals, mostly as part of their extended project, which is a 6,000 word essay equivalent to an AS-level.

"Higher education is all about engaging with critical ideas and formulating an intelligent response to them, and that's what we're doing here," Ms Williams told the paper.

After appearing in a television programme with former deputy prime minister John Prescott recently, Rugby headteacher Patrick Derham criticised his view on independent education as 'outdated'.