Here’s something that keeps me up at night: the World Economic Forum states that critical thinking and analysis is the fourth most important skill for 2025. It has been in their top skills list since 2016. Yet only 39% of UK university graduates can demonstrate they’re proficient at it, according to a 2018 Education Testing Service study. That gap between what we say matters and what we’re achieving is huge.

As I run educational VR workshops across England, I see this play out constantly. There’s this brilliant moment when students are genuinely challenged to think, question, and work through problems. You can literally see them light up. But I’ve also watched countless young people struggle when asked to do anything beyond memorising facts and repeating them.
And here’s the thing: it’s not that they can’t think critically. We just haven’t had time to teach them how.

What Critical Thinking Actually Means

Let’s be honest. “Critical thinking” has become one of those phrases everyone uses at education conferences. It’s in almost every school’s mission statement. But what does it really mean?
It’s not about being negative or criticising everything. It’s about analysing information carefully, evaluating evidence, questioning assumptions, and making reasoned decisions.
Picture a Year 9 student researching climate change. Are they just copying statistics and quotes into a document? Or are they examining where those statistics come from, looking at different viewpoints, spotting potential biases, and building an evidence-based argument?
The latter is critical thinking in action. The former is what too many students are still doing.

The World Economic Forum Knows Something We Need to Hear

The WEF’s identification of critical thinking as a key skill isn’t random. They surveyed employers worldwide, and the message came back clear: organisations need people who can analyse problems, think independently, and make sound judgments.
What’s fascinating is that critical thinking doesn’t stand alone in their list. It sits alongside analytical thinking, active learning strategies, complex problem-solving, and creativity.
See the pattern? These skills are all connected. You can’t truly innovate without thinking critically. You can’t solve complex problems without proper analysis. You can’t learn actively without questioning what you’re being taught.
The WEF estimates that 50% of employees will need reskilling as AI makes deeper inroads and becomes more intelligent. This isn’t just about learning new software. It’s about developing transferable cognitive skills that let people adapt and thrive.

Why We’re Not Getting This Right

Despite everyone agreeing that critical thinking matters, most schools struggle to teach it effectively. Let me be clear about the barriers:
Curriculum constraints are real. When teachers feel constant pressure to cover material for standardised tests, activities that build thinking skills get pushed aside. I’ve seen math teachers focus on students applying formulas correctly instead of exploring why those formulas work.
Traditional teaching methods don’t naturally promote critical thinking. Information transmission and textbooks have their place. But if that’s the dominant mode, students become passive learners. They learn what to think rather than how to think.
Assessment drives everything. If exams mainly test recall, that’s what students focus on. Multiple-choice questions rarely require deep analysis.
We’ve lost confidence in allowing students to struggle productively. There’s a tendency to jump in with answers rather than letting students sit with the discomfort while they work things through. But that struggle is where critical thinking develops.

How to Build Critical Thinking Skills

So what actually works? Based on research and my practical experience with schools across Yorkshire and the North East, here’s what makes a difference:
Ask better questions. Socratic questioning is one of our most powerful tools. Instead of “What happened in 1066?”, try “Why did William win at Hastings? Could it have gone differently?” Open-ended questions that start with “why” and “how” naturally push students toward analysis.
Make learning hands-on and problem-based. When students tackle real-world challenges, like designing a sustainable school garden or researching a community issue, they must think critically about multiple factors and justify decisions.
In our VR workshops, Year 6 students exploring the adaptation don’t just memorise facts. They walk through extreme habitats, observe changes, and figure out why these incremental changes happen. That active exploration requires analysis and reasoning.
Encourage debate and discussion. A study in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that students in collaborative settings are 25% more likely to show critical thinking skills than those working alone.
Use technology thoughtfully. When done right, digital tools can support critical thinking effectively. Virtual environments let students explore scenarios that are impossible in the physical world, like standing on a melting glacier or witnessing tectonic plates colliding.
But using technology just for the sake of it achieves nothing. When used intentionally to present real problems, it can be incredibly powerful.

The Equity Dimension We Cannot Ignore

Here’s an uncomfortable reality: access to learning experiences that build critical thinking is deeply unequal. The Sutton Trust found that 68% of schools with many students on free school meals have cut back on trips and enrichment activities, compared to 44% in more affluent areas. Those trips provide the kinds of rich experiences that support deeper thinking. This is where technology can genuinely help close the gap. A school in Darlington faces the same challenges accessing London museums as one in rural Northumberland. Virtual reality won’t replace the magic of standing in the British Museum, but it can offer genuine alternatives when physical access is limited.
At EduPeopleVR, we’ve structured our pricing to be accessible for schools with limited resources. Every child deserves opportunities to engage with experiences that challenge them to think and reason.

Where Do We Go From Here?

The evidence is clear: critical thinking is essential, employers want it, and our current educational approach doesn’t always deliver it.
But the solution isn’t to add another initiative to an overloaded system. It’s about fundamentally rethinking how we approach teaching and learning.
Start small. If you’re a teacher, choose one unit where you intentionally build in more questioning and hands-on problem-solving. If you’re a school leader, protect time for enrichment experiences that demand genuine thinking.
Think about how technology might enable experiences that were previously impossible. But always ask: does this promote critical thinking, or is it just flashy?
Most importantly, be patient. Building critical thinking skills takes time. Students need repeated practice, supportive challenges, and the freedom to struggle productively.

Let’s Make Critical Thinking Real in Your School

At EduPeopleVR, we’re passionate about creating immersive learning experiences that genuinely challenge students to think critically. Our VR workshops complement your curriculum, offering hands-on, inquiry-based learning that builds analytical skills while addressing your schemes of work.
Whether exploring the solar system, investigating ecosystems, or walking through historical events, our sessions present real problems that students need to reason through. We don’t just show them things; we ask them to explain, predict, analyse, and justify. Let’s work together to ensure every student develops the thinking skills they need. Not just for exams, but for life. Because ultimately, education isn’t just about what students know. It’s about how well they can think.

Ready to explore how VR enrichment could transform learning in your school? 

Contact EduPeopleVR today to discuss workshops, whole-school enrichment days, or ongoing partnerships. Let’s work together to ensure every child in the north of England has access to the enriching experiences they deserve.

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