4RS Campaign
Overview
At the beginning of 2009, The Philosophy Shop launched its 'Four Rs' campaign, centred on flagging the importance of the four Rs: Reading, (W)riting, (A)rithmetic AND Reasoning. Four Rs is backed by a number of thinkers such as British philosopher AC Grayling and highlighted by Sir Jim Rose in his 2009 set of suggestions for revamping the National Curriculum.
According to Jim Rose, over and above everything else, primary schools are about instilling life long learning. Key to this: providing children with the skills to learn effectively, so “they can plan, research and critically evaluate, using reasoned arguments to support conclusions. As well as “think creatively, making original connections and generate ideas” and “consider alternative solutions to problems.” These are all skills that Philosophy excels in: critical thinking skills.
The Philosophy Shop is using 'The Philosophers' Football Match 2010' as a springboard for increasing awareness of the 'Four Rs'.
Campaign success
The match in both run up and on the day generated a lot of both amused and serious media reaction, both in the UK and as far afield as the US and Brazil.
Many well-known names signed up as match supporters and sent us messages of support.
Our campaign has been featured in articles in The Guardian, The Independent, The Times, The Telegraph and the BBC, and countless individuals have sent us messages of support and we have gathered many friends on social networks.
The launch of the public awareness campaign to chime with World Philosophy Day on 19 November was a great success, culminating in an appearance by The Philosophy Shop’s Director Peter Worley and its Ambassador AC Grayling on Radio 4's Today programme.
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