The Southfield Philosopher

This academic year, we are excited to introduce The Southfield Philosopher as one of the five school development areas of our curriculum.

In the Autumn term, the entire school took part in an exploration of philosophy, learning about some of history's most influential thinkers and the lasting impact their ideas have had on societies around the world. Each year group focused on a specific philosopher, applying their insights through the creation of Exemplas of Wisdom in English. This engaging process has encouraged our students to reflect on key philosophical concepts and begin developing their own personal philosophy, resilience, and critical thinking skills.

In addition, our pupils also were exposed to these philosophers’ influence in other fields, such as mathematics, science and literature. By connecting philosophical ideas to real-world applications, students gained a deeper understanding of how these thinkers shaped advancements in various disciplines.

Through this continued study, we aim to inspire our children to question, explore, and apply their understanding of the world to make meaningful connections and grow as thoughtful individuals.

Here is a list of which Ancient Philosopher each year group studied and the big question they tried to answer over the course of the week in Autumn: 

Reception- Plato- How do we know what is real?

Year 1- Socrates- Why is it important to ask questions?

Year 2 Aristotle- What is the purpose of life?

Year 3 Descartes- How do we know what is true?

Year 4 Kant- Do we always reason before we act?

Year 5 Locke- Can knowledge go beyond experience?

Year 6 St Thomas Aquinas- Can the existence of God be proved?