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Classics for All’s goal is to bring more Classics to state schools, and we are going from strength to strength in this regard. Since 2010, we have awarded over £700k and reached 500 schools, bringing Latin, Greek, Ancient History and Classical Civilisation to over 15,000 pupils in state secondary and primary schools across the UK.
In the past two years we have doubled the number of grants awarded, working with many schools in areas of socio-economic deprivation with no history of Classics.
We really are making progress across the board but, of course, we want to continue to grow the sphere of our activities.
We are committed to working in partnership to spread our influence. Recent examples include: work with Scottish universities, teachers and classical bodies to support the introduction of a Post Graduate Diploma in Education for Classics; a partnership with the Classical Association to support a residential course for 30 teachers on the new GCSE and A level Classical Civilisation courses; work with the Harris Federation Academy chain to introduce Latin in a number of its secondary and primary schools.
On the subject of partnerships, I am pleased to announce that I have managed to persuade Nicholas Barber, the former Chairman, to help me in spreading the word about the fast growing and successful Classics for All. Nicholas will take on the newly created role of Honorary President.
I am also pleased to let you know that the Trustees have decided to change Hilary Hodgson’s title to more accurately reflect her work and she is now the Grants and Programme Director.
I am thrilled to announce two generous multi-year gifts pledged to us at the beginning of 2017 from the A. G. Leventis Foundation and The Polonsky Foundation. Their funding of £90k and £60k respectively will fund two major initiatives for 2017 onwards: the A. G. Leventis Foundation funding is to support the introduction or development of Ancient Greek in schools across the UK, and The Polonsky Foundation funding will support the introduction of Latin in 60 primary schools across the UK.
Thank you very much for all your donations, big or small, and your support in spreading the word about our work. We can only expand and respond to grant requests from schools because we know that we have year-on-year financial support from our donors. Many of you give the maximum you can; I don’t expect you to give more but would love it if you were able to give that same amount annually for a minimum of three years, helping to sustain and embed Classics in beneficiary schools. I am encouraged in this by Aristotle, who said that ‘wealth lies more in using than in possessing’.
Geoffrey de Jager
Chairman
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Peter Wright, Classics teacher, shared this case study with us:
Classics at Blackpool Sixth Form has been a high profile subject in the college for some years. Numbers studying A-level Classical Civilisation are consistently high at around 100-150 with excellent examination grades to accompany. We are passionate in our view that the engagement and skills acquired from a study of classical history and literature can have a profound impact on student grades, literacy, communication and aspirations. A packed enrichment programme ranging from theatre visits to archaeology digs, to visits to Athens and guest speakers, reinforces the relevance and skills of the subject and has led to profitable links with a range of outside associations, schools, universities and employers.
Click here to read the full Case Study. You can also find out more about the Blackpool hub including how to get in contact via our Regional Hubs page here.
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In 2016 Classics for All awarded a total of £200k to schools across the UK. This means that we are now supporting work in over 500 primary and secondary schools across the UK.
Our ambition to establish regional support networks or hubs to encourage the sharing of approaches to Classics teaching is gradually building momentum. In February 2017, we welcomed the official launch of the Bristol Classics hub at the University of Bristol. Over 50 people turned up at the event to hear about the ambitious work, including Clevedon, Orchard and Wyedean schools, where Classics are now being taught to all pupils at Key Stage 3. It was heartening to see the level of commitment and enthusiasm in the room and we would like to pay tribute to Genevieve Lively and hub Co-ordinator Hannah Walsh who set out an inspiring vision of the future for Classics in the South West.
Until now Classics for All has found it difficult to develop work in Scotland where practical challenges, including a shortage of Classics teachers, have been a barrier to progress. In January 2017 Professor Tom Harrison and I paid a visit to Scotland and had extremely productive meetings with teachers, universities, policy makers, the Scottish Association of Language Teachers and the Scottish Centre for Languages. As a result of this, we have appointed Jennifer Watson, a teacher and classicist, to explore ways of increasing the teaching of Classics in schools. Likely strategies include promoting take-up of Latin in Scottish primary schools, offering Continuing Professional Development for registered teachers interested in introducing Classics and subject knowledge enhancement for teachers of Classical Studies.
Increasing the level of demand for Classics in primary schools continues to be one of our top priorities. In light of this, we are delighted to announce that Classics for All has been invited to run a two day residential Classics course as part of the National Union of Teachers annual CPD programme. The course will introduce Classics to 30 primary schools, offering an eclectic and entertaining introduction to classical history, mythology and literature and Latin.
We are also grateful to The Polonsky Foundation for supporting the extension of our work in primary schools through its generous grant which will enable us to introduce Latin in a further 60 primary schools across the UK over the next three years.
Last but not least, we are also excited to be the recipient of three-year funding from the A. G. Leventis Foundation to increase the teaching of Ancient Greek in state schools. As a result of this, we are especially keen to hear from primary and secondary schools interested in establishing Ancient Greek on the timetable or as an enrichment activity.
In response to growing demand Classics for All is now offering grants throughout the year. Anyone interested is asked to send an initial email to Classics for All summarising plans and we will get back to you to let you know whether we are inviting you to make a full application. For further details outlining the types of projects we fund, please visit our website at classicsforall.org.uk/get-involved/schools/application-forms/.
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In the third tranche of 2016, we awarded grants to 14 projects with a further 17 grants awarded since January 2017. These range from top-up grants to well established projects such as Classics Club Junior (Greig City Academy), to grants for starting Latin from scratch and introducing it to all 300 students at Key Stage 3 (Orchard School, Bristol).
Click here to see the full list of grants awarded since September 2016.
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Nicholas Parsons CBE
Jules Mann at Classics for All writes:
It was a privilege for a few of us at Classics for All to have an opportunity to sit in the Penguin studios last year with radio and television presenter and actor Nicolas Parsons, to hear him talk about the value of Classics, the impact of Classics on his life, and to hear him read a passage (in translation) from Ovid, one of his favourite authors. With the kind permission of Nicholas Parsons and Penguin Studios, we have put together a video to share with Classics for All supporters, teachers and pupils.
Please visit our Youtube page to view all of our videos
 Richard Jenkyns
Classics for All’s Chairman Geoffrey de Jager hosted a dinner in early 2017 at the Reform Club in London where Richard Jenkyns entertained guests with stories of his school-day Classics and the relevance of Classics today. We share with you his thoughts about ‘why Classics?’ below.
‘I used to be asked from time to time what the point of studying Classics was. I find I'm not asked that much these days - the value of the subject seems to be pretty generally accepted now - but if we are asked the question, we know that there are plenty of answers to give, and they are good answers. But I prefer simply to say: Think of a door. Like Alice, walk through the door and explore the garden of Wonderland. For some people it will be the history of the ancient world and the life of its people that is the most attractive thing; for some the study of a civilisation that is the foundation of our own world, yet very unlike it; for some the thought and philosophy; for some the literature; for some the art and architecture; for some the languages themselves. Think of Classics as an opening of possibilities.’
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Classics for All is expanding! Thanks to growing demand from schools we are now accepting grant applications year round; in order to support this internally we have increased our staffing and are currently looking for a small office space in central London.
The expansion of our grants programme, driven by tour de force Hilary Hodgson, now requires even more of her time. In addition to the grants programme and regional Classics hub development, she will be overseeing major initiatives to increase the teaching of Latin in primary schools and to stimulate take-up of Ancient Greek. I add my thanks to The Polonsky Foundation and the A. G. Leventis Foundation for supporting this work, and encourage anyone interested in match funding either of these initiatives to get in touch.
Moa Taylor Hodin first came to us as a volunteer in 2014 whilst a BA student at UCL studying Classical Archaeology and Classical Civilisation. Three years later I am delighted that she has moved from being a volunteer to a much-needed Administrator at Classics for All, supporting our grants programme and our fundraising events.
We will be announcing our annual fundraising events in a special news bulletin by early April; they will take place in the latter part of 2017, and should be exciting occasions for your autumn diaries.
Our Lawyers Group in support of Classics for All has just announced its programme for members – if you work in the legal world and would like to join this group, please visit our website.
Jules Mann, Executive Director
Telephone (mobile): 07809 256839
E-mail: jules@classicsforall.org.uk
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Do please consider, as our Chairman suggests, giving the same amount annually for a minimum of three years. It makes such a difference when we can count on your donation year after year, so consider a direct debit or pledge for annual giving. Whatever your level of support, it is very welcome. Your money is being put to excellent use, and provides an ever stronger platform on which to recruit many more donors all the way from Centurions to Olympians.
We have added two new categories to reward donors giving between £100-1,000 and also between £1,000-5,000. The full list is: Centurions (£100 and over); Tribunes (£300 and over); Praetorians (£1,000 and over); Quaestors (£3,600 and over); Senators (£5,000 and over); Consuls (£10,000 and over); Heroes (£50,000 and over); Olympians (£100,000 and over).
It’s easy to make a secure donation online, or post a cheque to Classics for All, 51 Achilles Road, London NW6 1DZ.
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Trustees
Nicholas Barber CBE, Hon President; Geoffrey de Jager, Chairman; Christopher A Clarke, Hon Treasurer; Jeannie Cohen, Hon Secretary; Carolyn Foreman; Professor Thomas Harrison; Deborah Hughes; Sarah Jackson OBE; Professor David Langslow
Managment Team and Advisers
Adviser Dr Peter Jones
Executive Director Jules Mann
Grants Team Hilary Hodgson, Grants and Programme Director; James Murray
Administrator Moa Taylor Hodin
Patrons
Professor Mary Beard OBE; Lord Butler of Brockwell; Professor Paul Cartledge; Colin Dexter OBE; Lord Dyson; Professor Pat Easterling; Sir Michael Fallon MP; Lord Faulkner of Worcester; Tony Harrison; Natalie Haynes; Charlotte Higgins; Ian Hislop; Tom Holland; Bettany Hughes; Boris Johnson; Martha Kearney; Joanna Lumley OBE FRGS; Stuart Lyons CBE; Professor Christopher Pelling; Lord Stevenson of Coddenham CBE; Sir Tom Stoppard CBE.
See also: Development Committee, Lawyers Group Steering Committee and CfA Event Planning Group members
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Classics for All is a Registered Charity (Number 1135379) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (Number 7182949)
Registered in England and Wales
Contact General: Telephone: 07809 256839
Email: contact@classicsforall.org.uk
www.classicsforall.org.uk
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