community of enquiry

using stories to stimulate thinking and communication skills with children

The Community of Enquiry is a child-centred discussion method that can help develop a range
of skills through actively encouraging creative and critical thinking in a group context.

Following on from the highly successful Storyteller in Schools project,  a Community of Enquiry worker worked in five schools in Pollok to promote the use of the Community of Enquiry discussion method along with traditional stories. The project's aims were to help develop the children's thinking, communication skills and emotional intelligence, hopefully empowering them to become active and thoughtful citizens who can listen well, but are not afraid to question.

Whereas the Storyteller in Schools project relied on Julie, the storyteller, to facilitate the discussions, this project saw her working closely with teachers in four local primaries and one secondary school, passing on to them the skills to practice effectively with their own classes.

Taking this important work to a larger scale, Julie also co-ordinated

Learning and Teaching Scotland's Philosophy for Citizenship network: building Communities of Enquiry in the West of Scotland. 

For links to other sites about Communities of Inquiry and Philosophy for Children go to 

Related Sites

The project funders were:

 Scottish Arts Council 

Lloyds/TSB Foundation