Welcome to Inspire Critical Thinking…
Inspire Critical Thinking is a free online programme for pupils in Years 9, 10 & 11 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! You’ll also have the chance to submit to our competitions for the chance to win prizes, attend our Virtual Summer School, and apply for our Residential Summer School here at St John’s.
Each workshop contains articles and videos aimed at helping you develop your critical thinking experience about questions such as those raised by crime and punishment and all the other complex issues of our day. Also included is a “University Spotlight” piece describing an aspect of Oxford University that you might think about. It’s up to you how much you read from the articles. We have included short videos that help to provide a summary of each article, should you wish to use them as a starting point, and some videos offer more context to the articles.
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 Critical Thinking Benefit Me?
What tasks can I do?
Aside from reading our articles and watching the summary videos, you can engage with 4 types of tasks. Think pieces allow you to explore your own opinions to issues raised in the articles and possibly discuss these with friends and family. When you see a vote now symbol, you can vote in a poll and see how your opinion compares with others. You can also write your opinion and ideas in our Have your say forum discussion with students from across the UK. Finally, you can complete our Super Challenges. These are slightly harder but are designed to push your thinking. You can submit one per workshop to us for a chance to win a prize!
Critical Thinking 2023/24 – Does Crime Always Deserve Punishment?
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, 10 & 11 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 will open in November 2023. The first class will then be released in January 2024. 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.
