Mayor Johnson backs pilot scheme for primary pupils to learn Latin

Published: 16 July 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

WHO would be a Latin teacher?  

Batting off “dead” language taunts ad nauseam, numb ears from all the dodgy declensions of hic, haec hoc, and experiencing a creeping sense of being trapped in the body of bit part in the History Boys.

Not any more – a chariot load of teachers are preparing to put Westminster primary children through the passive periphrastic and amo, amas, amat under a new scheme to revive teaching of the ancient language.

From September, what was good enough for Caesar will be good enough for pupils at St Matthew’s CE Primary School in Victoria, Gateway Primary School in Lisson Grove, St Barnabas CE Primary School in Pimlico, and St Vincent de Paul and Burdett CE Primary School in Victoria.

The pilot scheme, which has the backing of passionate classicist, London mayor Boris Johnson, will be run after school or during lunchtime and, if successful, schools chiefs plan to extend the scheme to a further 10 schools.

Currently about four per cent of state schools teach Latin – furnishing its reputation as a discipline for elite private school pupils.

Councillor Nickie Aiken, the council’s schools boss, said: “Latin shouldn’t only be reserved for pupils at independent schools and we believe that children in the state sector should be given the opportunity to take it up. Latin undeniably helps children to learn other languages and also trains pupils in logical and analytical skills as well as providing a foundation for writing English.”

Deputy headteacher, Emily Norman, who will be teaching Latin at St Matthew’s to Year 4 pupils, said: “We are thrilled to be able to offer Latin in our school.

“It is wonderful that our children, who come from such diverse backgrounds, are being given the opportunity to access Latin in such an inclusive way. I loved Latin at school, and hope that our pupils at St Matthew’s will too.”

Teachers will not need to have knowledge of Latin as the schools have been provided with booklets and CDs to help with teaching and pronunciation.

Mr Johnson, a strong supporter of Latin in schools, added: “I commend the efforts of the educational organisations and volunteers bringing Latin back into state schools. 

“We cannot possibly understand our modern world unless we understand the ancient world that made us all and there is simply no better way than to make young minds think in a logical and analytical way.”