DECSY has now been working across South Yorkshire for 40 years, being established in 1984. DECSY's aim is to equip teachers to provide young people with a ‘more honest view on the world’.

We promote Global Learning, an approach to education that increases understanding of complex global issues and how these affect and are affected by our everyday lives. We offer a range of training courses to teachers and schools. Our skilled staff is comprised of qualified teachers who are experienced in project management, delivering training, resource development and have credentials of working to effect lasting change.

Global Learning engages pupils in themes such as, diversity, equality, human rights, justice and environmental sustainability, to become informed and effective global citizens. We have produced successful projects such as, Gender Action, which gives young people equal opportunities no matter their gender, not allowing gender stereotypes getting in the way of their futures.

Philosophy for Children (P4C) is a key area of our work. P4C is based in developing the four Cs of philosophical thinking: critical, creative, caring and collaborative. We see these as a rounded description of the thinking and communication skills needed to develop as a rounded human-being:

Critical thinking – helps to reduce polarisation and increase independence.

Creative thinking – helps to bring out the human potential for development and joy

Collaborative thinking – helps build relationships and increase the ability to value difference rather than reacting from fear to pull away from those with different opinions

Caring thinking – helps to improve mental well-being through developing good relationships and thinking from others’ point of view

Training teachers in P4C helps bring this important tool into the classroom.