Teaching Awards 2023
Scroll down to read some of the citations for the winners of our previous annual awards. Our warmest congratulations to these very deserving winners and our heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Classical Association Teaching Board and the wider Classics community for the incredible work they do to promote and support the teaching of Classics. To all those out there working tirelessly to champion the subject and support students: your work is seen and valued beyond measure.
Peter Swallow, Making Classics More Inclusive Award:
Having previously worked at King’s College London part time, Peter worked on outreach with Advocating Classics Education, and has more recently begun a full-time position as a post-doctoral researcher at Durham University. He also made significant contributions to equality, diversity and inclusion at Notting Hill & Ealing High School, where he led on curriculum reform at all key stages, undertook the role of Diversity Lead and led a CPD session for all staff on trauma-informed teaching.
As acting head of department for a term, Peter mentored a new teacher, led several clubs, hosted a weekly Classics Surgery, supported students with applications to university and enriched their learning with a Classics Masterclass. He also organised several excellent trips, including a Year 9 visit to Fishbourne Palace and a trip for senior Classicists to attend the UCL Greek Play. Peter contributed enormously to the department by organising the Black Classicists’ Exhibition, hosted in the school Library, and by organising a Tragedy Conference not only for his students, but for those from local schools, as well. Peter also established the school’s Minimus programme for 2023, in which Year 11 students teach Minimus to Year 5 students at a local state school during the spring term.
Mireya Gonzalez Rodriguez, Making Classics More Inclusive Award:
Our second winner for the Making Classics More Inclusive Award initiated an excellent programme of Loughborough Schools Foundation Classics lectures delivered by world-leading scholars such as Emily Hauser, Edith Hall and Llewellyn Morgan, which are open to everyone for free. These lectures, which began during the first lockdown, have been incredibly successful, with hundreds of staff, students, and members of the public regularly attending. Mireya has also created an outreach programme in Cyprus where Loughborough students teach classical subjects to primary-aged children of British Forces to inspire them and ignite their love of the classical world. Previously, she was involved in several projects around Leicester, including making freely accessible Greek resources for young readers, and the university’s archaeological services team.
Sian Squire, Outstanding State Sector Initiative Award:
For many years, Sian has been the sole teacher of A Level Classical Civilisation at Shrewsbury Colleges Group – the only state FE college in the area which provides students with the opportunity to study the classical world. The course has grown so much that there are now over 100 A Level students taking Classical Civilisation. She has worked tirelessly to maximise the reach of the subject to all her learners and provides a wealth of opportunities throughout the school. She has developed links with a local independent school so her students could participate in a production of Oedipus Rex and access Latin lessons, has encouraged her students to enter the Fitzwilliam College Cambridge Essay writing competition and the Lytham St Annes Classical Association competition, and supported them in attending a variety of summer schools, including Newcastle Bite Size and the JACT Latin and Ancient History summer schools. Due to her efforts, her students set their sights high and last year 25% of the cohort went on to higher education courses that were related to the classical world. Not only is Sian incredibly generous with her time for her students, but she also helps other Classics teachers, having previously presented at the CA conference.
David Hogg, Promoting the study of the ancient world in schools Award:
David has worked tirelessly to promote Classics at Kelmscott School. His relentless efforts and dedication have enabled his students to access Classics at key stages 3 and 4. For the first time in its history, all students at Kelmscott, a state school in the heart of East London, will leave having accessed the classical world at some point during their school journey. The department has four former Year 11 students currently studying A-Level Greek at Westminster school, one former Year 11 studying Latin at Camden School, and another ex-student who has recently accepted an offer at Oxford University to read Classics. The success and achievements of Kelmscott students are owed to this worthy winner! But David doesn’t just work tirelessly for his students. The impact David has had on the career and professional development of his colleagues is immense. In the words of his nominator: “I started my teaching journey at Kelmscott as an NQT English teacher and, in under 8 months, became Joint Head of Classics. I’m now sole Head of Classics – leading a fantastic and thriving department thanks to him. He has never failed to support me, and I owe my success to him!”
Zoë Boland, Promoting the study of the ancient world in schools Award:
Our second winner for this award was nominated by no fewer than 10 of her students! Zoë’s unstoppable motivation to promote Classics at Wallington County Grammar School has had a phenomenal impact. In the midst of the pandemic, she worked tirelessly to implement opportunities for students who had loved Latin at GCSE but had no avenues to further their learning. She decided to run a Latin reading group, reigniting an interest in Latin for passionate GCSE students and leading to the introduction of Latin A-Level. And there is never a dull moment in the classroom! One student cited the interactive debates on the Aeneid, the reenactment of Ciceronian trials, and the performance of Aristophanes’ comedies that make each and every lesson unique. This individual’s efforts extend beyond the classroom, too. She also runs a Sixth Form Classics Oxbridge Club, an Ancient Greek club, and a weekly Classics extracurricular session where students can decide what they want to study based on a termly theme. She has made a huge impact whilst innovating and responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of the student body.
Dave Midgley, Innovative Pedagogy Award:
In the words of his nominator: “this year I secured a place at Cambridge to read Classics, something I would never have done without his continuous support and help. Whenever I felt like I didn’t fit into Classics because of my background, he’d always encourage me to keep going, whether it was helping me with essay competitions, getting rid of my pre-interview nerves, or pushing me to carry on with the application process. He puts on so many extra curriculars for Classics in the school and helped me discover what Classics actually was- just over a year and a half ago I had never heard of it but now I’m going to study it at degree level! I would not be in the position that I am now without his incredible ancient history lessons and his continuous encouragement.” Dave is the creator of the very popular Stupid Ancient History podcast series and the support he offers his local teaching community by frequently hosting teach meets and CPD days at his school, Pars Wood High School in Manchester.
