P4C.com Team

Tom Bigglestone – Lead Trainer at The Philosophy Man, Editorial Team

Prior to joining Jason at The Philosophy Man Tom was a teacher in two London schools, including being Head of Department for several years. The philosophy bug got him eventually and after training with SAPERE and The Philosophy Man he became Lead Trainer at The Philosophy Man (and works with Jason across other joint ventures too).  He works with schools every week to help them embed P4C into their curriculums and offers ongoing coaching. He also speaks at a range of events – from Heads’ conferences to training days for new teachers. He also writes many of our resources.

He does sporty stuff too, and has co-authored three books in his spare time. None of us quite understand how he has time to enjoy all the other things in life, but he seems to manage ok.

Jason Buckley – Founder of The Philosophy Man (and many more), Editorial Team

Whilst teaching English at Sutton Grammar School, Jason Buckley rotated around Year 7 forms, facilitating discussions off the back of philosophical stories. These were popular, and years later when he was looking for a name for his new organisation, he remembered one boy exclaiming “Yay, it’s the Philosophy Man!”

Jason is now a leading writer, trainer and practitioner in the field of Philosophy for Children. He has written popular, compact how-to guides for teachers as well as a wealth of stories and other stimulus materials for use in the classroom.

Jason is a serial entrepreneur combining his love of education and learning across many fields.

Deborah Carvill – Finance Manager at SAPERE

Deborah is SAPERE’s Finance Manager. She manages bookkeeping and assists the Director of Operations and Development in all financial matters. 

Deborah has previously managed finances in the construction industry and for a landed estate, as well as providing financial and business support to a multi-business operation crossing the mental health and special educational needs sectors.  

Deborah also has experience in the voluntary sector having served as trustee and treasurer for a regional branch of the children’s educational charity, the Sea Cadets. Just because she looks after the purse strings doesn’t mean she’s mean – give her a message if you need help and she’ll see what she can do for you. 

Aimee George – Operations Co-ordinator at SAPERE

Aimee is SAPERE’s Operations Co-ordinator, handling a variety of administration tasks that ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the charity.

Aimee had a 9-year career break raising three girls and recently returned to working within a Merchandising/Buying department in the retail industry. After discovering the role no longer suited her, she sought a role with more meaningful purpose for her, and she found it in supporting the advancement of Philosophy for Children.

Aimee brings with her a wealth of systems knowledge including CRM/database management. She’s very friendly, give her a message if you need something. She’ll pass it on if she can’t help to someone who can.

Emma Leeson – SAPERE Trainer, Schools Co-ordinator at SAPERE, Editorial Team

Emma is a former primary deputy who has practised P4C in her own classrooms for many years, introducing and embedding it at whole school level. She is also a Level 1 and 2 trainer for SAPERE.

Emma leads our trainers at SAPERE, writes resources and supports schools in their training and development.

Emma is creative and critical in her thinking, collaborative and caring in her work and life, and passionate about philosophy in schools and education. She embodies P4C!

Grace Lockrobin – Director of Training & Education at SAPERE, Editorial Team

Grace is responsible for philosophy for children training, strategy and the development and quality assurance of our courses, resources, awards and other projects. She is Co-Director of SAPERE alongside Emma Swinn.

She has worked as a philosopher in education, academia and the community for over fifteen years. Through her involvement in diverse projects in the places people live, learn, work and play, she has enjoyed philosophical conversations with thousands of thinkers of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience and she has supported hundreds of philosophy students, teachers and facilitators to do the same.

Grace has been a member of SAPERE since 2008 and a trainer since 2014, before becoming Co-Director in 2022. Alongside this role, she is a board member of the European philosophy network SOPHIA, is on the editorial board for the Journal of Philosophy in Schools, as well as completing a PhD at UCL. She works in schools, trains teachers, encourages trainers, speaks at conferences and events. Not sure if she sleeps.

Emma Swinn MBE – Director of Operations & Development at SAPERE, Editor and G.D.

Emma Swinn joined the SAPERE staff team in summer 2023, as Director of Operations and Development, overseeing all operational matters and looking to the future of SAPERE’s organisational development. She is Co-Director of SAPERE alongside Grace Lockrobin. See above.

Emma has done quite a bit in the philosophy in education field, we won’t list it all here. She is also an actor occasionally, hence the over-dramatic photo. She is currently President of SOPHIA: The European Foundation for the Advancement of Philosophy with Children, and a Visiting Research Associate at Kings College London. She is on the Advisory Board for the Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science at the LSE, is a contributing author to the award-winning The Philosophy Shop book, and is a commissioning editor for The Philosopher’s Magazine.

Emma was awarded an MBE for services to innovation in the 2020 New Year Honours and G.D stands for general dogsbody. If something is wrong with this site, it’s probably her fault.