I am delighted to introduce myself and to bring you the Spring 2024 issue of our Classics Matters newsletter, which you can download using the button below.
You may detect a recurring theme in this issue: our regional classics networks are the heart of our work in state schools. On page 6 we give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into our annual Network Coordinator Away Day, where the passionate people driving this work came together to share stories and best practice. It was a perfect introduction to Classics for All during the first week in my new role here and helped me to understand the challenges they face and how we can best support them in their local areas and in collaborating with each other regionally.
Students who aspire to university, many being the first in their families to do so, are finding pathways through classics, as you can read about this on page 5 (successes in Blackpool) and on page 10 (our pilot University Access scheme). Young people in general are taking centre stage in our work, thanks to the launch of The Chorus, our student network for classicists aged 16-25, which is connecting students across the UK and beyond. Read more on pages 12 and 13.
Haven’t we all been inspired by a memorable teacher in our life? Each year we give the opportunity to recognise outstanding classics teachers in schools across the UK - read more on page 9 about this year’s event taking place 28 June in Leicester. And you’ll find details on page 8 about two events taking place later this year - Overboard! on 27th September and The Moot Trial of Medea on 24th October - Save the Date(s)!
Last but certainly not least, a big thank you to all our supporters of Classics for All in 2023, page 14 contains our Donor Recognition List and you can find the full list of our acknowledgments to donors on our website here. I hope you will enjoy learning about how your contribution helps us toward our vision of making classics available to every state school pupil.
With warm wishes,
Jo Hobbs MBE
Chief Executive