STUDENT WORKSHOPS
Civic education that pupils actually remember
The best way to learn about democracy, rights, fairness and the world is to discuss and try these — with real evidence, real disagreement, and real fun.
Dr. Karem Roitman brings years of experience running civic discussions and simulations with children 7-99 :). These sessions are lively, challenging and fun. Kids leave them thinking differently. Every workshop is built around a question worth arguing about. No lectures. No worksheets. Just thinking, talking, listening and changing your mind.
KS1 example:
Introduction to Fairness
We start with a game sharing food among teddy bears. What is fair? How do we decide? Adding fun problems and possibilities challenge critical thinking and support creative possibilities. Children are given roles to play to add depth to the game. We then discuss insights and highlight civic language developed through the session.
What a session looks like
Pupils arrive with an opinion. They encounter evidence, hear other perspectives, and are asked to defend their position — or change it. Some sessions are debates where there is no right answer, only better and worse arguments. Some are simulations where every pupil has a role. Some are games which then lead to rich conversations.
KS3 example:
Full Simulation (Model UN)
Students become delegates negotiating real international issues. They represent positions they may not agree with, form alliances, and reach resolutions. The closest a classroom gets to real diplomacy as students develop communication, research, and democratic skills.
Workshop topics
Every workshop is built around a question worth arguing about. No lectures. No worksheets. Just thinking, talking, listening and expanding your mind.
Who should rule?
KS2 and KS3 · Discussion and simulation
Should the wisest person make decisions — even if nobody chose them? Is democracy always fair? Pupils argue for different systems of government, then discover why the question is harder than it looks.
Model United Nations
KS2 and KS3 · Full simulation
Pupils become delegates from different countries negotiating a real international issue. They must represent positions, form alliances, and reach a resolution — the closest a classroom gets to real diplomacy.
Should trees have rights?
KS2 and KS3 · Philosophical discussion
Animals can feel pain. Rivers can flood homes. Should nature have legal rights — and who would speak for it? One of the most surprising discussions pupils will ever have, and a genuine entry point into environmental civic values.
Is it ever okay to lie?
KS2 and KS3 · Philosophical discussion
A question pupils assume they know the answer to — until the hard cases arrive. Wartime, kindness, whistleblowing. Teaches pupils to argue with nuance rather than certainty through ethical reasoning scenarios.
If you could be in charge...
KS1 and KS2 · Simulation and discussion
You have the power to make one new rule for your school, your town, or the whole country. What would it be — and could you convince everyone else it's a good idea? Introduces democracy, rule of law, negotiation and compromise.
Should everyone follow the same rules?
KS1 · Discussion and game
What happens when a rule is fair for most people but not for everyone? A concrete, age-appropriate introduction to fairness, equality and why democracy is harder than majority voting.
Bring a workshop to your school
All workshops are led by Dr. Karem Roitman. Sessions run 45–60 minutes and can be adapted for a single class, a year group, or a whole-school event.
Single session — one class (45–60 min)
Half day — two sessions
Full day — up to four sessions
Travel within Oxford included. Outside Oxford charged at cost.
£350
£550
£950
“Since he has been attending, what I've noticed in general is the number of questions he asks on a daily basis has rocketed, and then the way he explores the question has such depth and breadth.”
— Parent