This presentation considers the rationale for and the value of the teaching of philosophy in contemporary classrooms, particularly in relation to the teaching of ethics. It explores the suppositions we bring to the philosophy classroom, how we might best meet our aims in regard to teaching ethics and the challenges we face in achieving those aims. The different approaches taken to the teaching of philosophical ethics in schools in Australia suggests both the need for greater clarity of purpose in this enterprise and the need to convince educational administrators as well as the broader community of the value of training those who undertake the teaching of philosophical ethics in schools.