Welcome to Inspire Critical Thinking…
Inspire Critical Thinking is a free online programme for pupils in Years 9 – 12 who attend a non-selective state school in the UK run by St John’s College at the University of Oxford. Each year, Inspire Critical Thinking explores a new theme through four online workshops, each of which contains articles, videos, interviews and more from University of Oxford academics and students!
Each workshop contains articles and videos aimed at helping you develop your critical thinking experience through a central theme. You can work through the workshops at your own pace and read about whatever takes your interest.
Katie Inwood
School Partnership Coordinator
Inspire Critical Thinking Virtual & Residential Summer Schools
The Inspire Critical Thinking Virtual Summer School is an opportunity for participants on the course to continue their participation through virtual lectures and workshops, videos and all-new interactive activities. The Virtual Summer School is entirely free to participate in for all participants on the programme.
In addition, the Inspire Critical Thinking Residential Summer School is an exciting opportunity for Year 11 pupils on the course to visit St John’s College, Oxford to experience life as an undergraduate student. You will attend lectures and workshops led by current university researchers, meet Oxford undergraduates and participate in fun trips around Oxford!
How does it work?
- Read whichever articles interest you
- Think – what questions do you have based on what you’ve read?
- Explore – use the further resources to research that debate in more detail
- Discuss – share your views in our forum
- Vote – cast your vote in a poll
- Challenge – complete a superchallenge for a chance to win a prize!
- Oxford Spotlight – find out about a part of Oxford university
- Summer Schools – engage in our Virtual Summer Schools (August) or apply for our Year 11 in-person residential (July)
Workshop Challenges
Want to win a £10 Amazon giftcard? You can submit an entry for one superchallenge per workshop. Winners will be selected at the end of the month and you will receive an email informing you of the outcome. If possible, save your entry in PDF format, named as firstname_yeargroup_workshop number. In your email, please confirm your name, school, year group and whether you would be happy for your work to be shown on social media. inspire@sjc.ox.ac.uk
I’d like some Extra support…
FAQs
Who can take part in Inspire Critical Thinking?
Inspire Critical Thinking is open to all pupils in Years 9-12 at non-selective UK state schools! You do not need particular grades or be taking particular GCSE subjects to take part.
How do I register for Inspire Critical Thinking?
Registration to take part in Inspire Critical Thinking for the 2023/24 academic year opens in October at the start of the academic year. The first class will then be released in January. You can register by filling out the forms at the top of this page.
If you are an Inspire Scholar on our Inspire Scholars Programme for Years 9, 10 & 11 you are automatically registered for Inspire Critical Thinking, and do not need to register again.
Previous Courses
