We are representatives of university departments offering classical studies and of learned societies concerned with classics nationally and internationally, and we speak for many more colleagues across the UK who have encouraged us to write. We appeal to the education secretary to reconsider her decision to terminate funding for the Latin excellence programme (Letters, 31 December).
We share the government’s desire to see equality of opportunity at the heart of educational provision, but believe that the Latin excellence programme has been successfully meeting exactly that challenge. Children at 40 non-selective state schools, the majority located in areas of economic deprivation, are now covered by the scheme, and more than a third of its by now over 5,000 pupils are eligible for free school meals – a remarkable uptake that indicates how exceptionally well the programme has been run.
What these children have found in Latin is a subject that both challenges and inspires them, teaching them another language but also revealing to them the roots of English words and exposing them to some fascinating history, archaeology and art. We are convinced that Latin has a valuable role to play as part of the broad educational curriculum that the government rightly prizes, equipping children for the future by stimulating their interest and imagination while giving them the intellectual confidence that comes from getting to grips with an ancient language.
We are especially saddened at the decision to end funding of the programme mid-year. We express our hope that consideration be given to children at key stage 4 who are working toward GCSE, and that, at the very least, the programme may be allowed to continue until the end of this academic year.
Prof Catharine Edwards Birkbeck, University of London, Prof Roy Gibson Durham University and the Roman Society, Prof Katherine Harloe Institute of Classical Studies, Prof Llewelyn Morgan University of Oxford, Prof Laurence Totelin Cardiff University and the Women’s Classical Committee, Prof Phiroze Vasunia University College London
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