Network Co-ordinator: Andrew Sillett, [email protected]
The Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Network was launched in 2018. Working with schools and colleagues from the universities of Oxford and Reading and Cheney School in Oxford, we support teachers interested in teaching classics from scratch or improving their subject knowledge. In the four years we have been up and running we have made great progress. developing a network of 47 schools keen to develop their teaching of classical subjects.
After six years, we are thrilled at the response from regional schools:
- 55 schools - 23 primary and 32 secondary schools are currently part of our growing network and receive support to teach classical subjects.
- We have equipped over 70 teachers, many of whom had never studied classics before, to teach classical subjects through regular training and continuing professional development.
- We have introduced over 5,000 pupils to the classical world.
In 2022-3 has been a great year, recent developments include:
- for the first time students from schools in the Network sat Latin GCSE, AS Level Ancient History and A Level Classical Civilisation, with several going on to study a classical subject as part of their undergraduate degree.
- the Network also held its first Teach Meet online as well as a joint outreach day with Reading University.
- In the summer term, CfA was approached by the Head of Classics at Winchester College and there are plans for the Network to use the school as a base for reaching more schools in Hampshire.
- Trinity School, Newbury introduced Classical Civilisation GCSE on timetable, while two new teachers trained to take over GCSE Latin at Edgbarrow School.
- St Mary’s Shinfield primary school established Latin as a main foreign language, along with All Saints Juniors, Reading, and Lambourn Church of England Primary School which introduced Latin on the curriculum through Maximum Classics.
In 2024-5, we have plans to:
- work to introduce Latin in year 9 in five secondary schools where Latin has just started.
- train up more teachers to teach Latin in primary schools.
- develop work in four new secondary schools.
- develop further links with Reading University Classics department by organising joint outreach days for primary and secondary pupils at the Ure museum.
We are keen to hear from any teachers who are interested in training to introduce classics from scratch or to expand classics provision further in their schools. We would be delighted to hear from you.
The Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Network is generously sponsored by: Swire Charitable Trust; and Ian and Caroline Laing.
We invite individual or corporate sponsorship of our regional networks. If you would like to find out more, please get in touch at [email protected].
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