Critical thinking masterclass for CIPD students

About this event

Online masterclass for CIPD students to boost grades and professional credibility through advanced critical thinking skills.

In this event, participants learn how to analyse arguments, evaluate evidence, challenge assumptions, and produce balanced, well-reasoned conclusions that meet assessor expectations and enhance workplace decision-making.

Through practical exercises, real-world examples, and structured frameworks, the session shows how to move beyond description into high-level analysis — the key difference between average and high-scoring work.

What participants gain

• Greater confidence and credibility when contributing ideas and decisions at work · Stronger analytical writing for higher marks
• Ability to evaluate evidence and research confidently
• Skills to identify bias, weak arguments, and flawed data
• Techniques to form clear, justified professional judgements
• Highly interactive, the session includes discussion, applied activities, and guided practice in a supportive environment that encourages confident questioning and deeper thinking.

Agenda

• Welcome and Overview
• Understanding Critical Thinking
• Interactive Activities: Evaluating arguments and identifying
• inference
• Critical Analysis in Practice
• Recap and Reflection

Speakers bio:

Sarah Burdaky is Centre Director of Flourish, a CIPD Study Centre, a qualified business coach, senior HR leader, and FCIPD. She holds an MA in Strategic HRM and has coached leaders from emerging managers to CEOs across the UK and internationally. With experience spanning multiple sectors and organisations including Kellogg’s, DHL, Renault, and Blackburn Rovers FC, Sarah is known for her practical, honest style and passion for developing critical thinking, self-awareness, and performance.

Please note:

1. Webinar joining instructions will be sent to you again 1 day before the event, with a further reminder, 20 minutes prior to the event starting.

2. The session may be recorded and shared with people afterwards. Please bear this in mind and have your camera off if you do not wish for your image to be shared.

3. The chat function will be used for participants to engage with the webinar, so just be mindful of the login name you use and ensure you are happy for other people to see this.

4. For security reasons, it is requested that participants join the live session 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and with the same name as registered on Eventbrite as not doing so may cause a delay or non-admittance to the event.

5. This event may include an external speaker who has prepared their own presentation. Any views or opinions expressed by the speaker are their own and do not reflect those of the CIPD.

6. If you require any reasonable adjustments to enhance your experience, please get in contact with us by responding to this email and we will do our best to accommodate.