Teaching Awards 2024

Our 2024 awards were presented at the University of Warwick during our annual Conference, with thanks to our co-sponsors of individual awards, the National Extension College and Bloomsbury Academic.

Karenza Nutley, Promoting the Study of Classics Award:

Karenza qualified as a modern languages teacher, specialising in French, at Bassingbourn Village College, a small rural comprehensive in Hertfordshire, where she also teaches Latin. Despite the challenges state schools face in maintaining classical studies, she has built a programme which has enjoyed remarkable success, with 22 students currently taking Latin at GCSE and her classroom is always filled with engaged, enthusiastic students. Alongside her Latin and MFL classes, she regularly takes trainee Classics teachers from the University of Cambridge, mentoring them, and setting them on their way to become the classics teachers of the future. This award recognises the success of the inclusive programme she has built, and her willingness to nurture the potential of students and teachers alike.

Paul Found, Promoting the Study of Classics Award:

Paul is a Head of RE at Norton Knatchbull School, Ashford who introduced Classical Civilisation to his school a decade ago, and under his leadership, the subject has gone from strength to strength. Every year, 5 or more students progress to Classics courses at universities as a direct result of his inspirational teaching, some of whom have since gone on to become Classics teachers. In order to improve his own subject knowledge, he undertook a Masters in Classics and is now a part-time PhD student. Alongside this already demanding schedule, he taught himself Latin so that he could offer the subject at both GCSE and A Level. Advocating endlessly to his school leaders to make space in the curriculum for classical subjects, his enthusiasm and dedication to the cause have ensured positive outcomes, and he’s drummed up a strong social media following from around the world!

Milly Knowles, Outstanding New Teacher:

Milly is in her second year of teaching at Holmfirth High School and yet the impact she has had on her school’s curriculum in such a short time through her knowledge and love of the Classics has been transformational, from embedding the Odyssey into the scheme of work for Year 7 English, to advising on the development of a Heroes and Hubris module for Year 9. She has built her own micro-classics library in her classroom and runs a classical society for over 60 pupils each week, who are now completing an IPQ through Classics For All. Alongside this, she has organised trips to the Ashmolean Museum, helped organise a School Classics Festival, inspired the theme of the school Sports’ Day (now ‘The Titanomachy’), established Ovid for All as an annual competition – and all this in her own time.

Pantelis Iakovou, Outstanding State Sector Initiative (Sponsored by the National Extension College):

Pantelis is tireless in providing outstanding Classics education, not just in his own school Harris Chafford Hundred, but across a number of the Federation’s schools, paving the way for access to Classics for years to come for students who have never studied the subject before. He promotes Classics positively and imaginatively, providing opportunities for students to excel and exceed in their exploration of the ancient past. He regularly mentors trainee teachers, and has even persuaded a colleague to join him on the A Level teaching journey. As his nominator said: ‘he added to my career in a way that I could never have imagined as a Modern History Teacher and has helped me discover my own love of all things Roman’. And his work doesn’t stop with the Federation – he also works with primary and secondary schools outside of the Federation who want to include Classics in their curriculum. 

Cathy Bothwell, Making Classics More Inclusive Award (Sponsored by Bloomsbury Classics):

Cathy currently runs a successful single-person Classics department at Durham Johnston Comprehensive and she has been teaching Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation in the North East and previously the South West of England for decades. In addition to performing her school role to the highest standard, she is a key member of the steering group for the Intermediate Certificate in Classical Greek, she has been instrumental in ensuring that opportunities to study Greek are available to teachers and students in non-selective state schools and is fundamental to the success of the JACT Bryanston Greek Summer School, assuming a range of roles including Secretary and tutor, and ensuring that bursaries are available to those who need them. Cathy’s contributions to the Durham Classics PGCE over the last two years have also been immeasurable. She has hosted student placements, mentored trainees, provided detailed and constructive feedback and has led several professional development days in partnership with the School of Education. She has been a driving force in the expansion of Classics outside London and the South East.

Judith Garner, Lifetime Achievement Award:

Judith has taught Classics at Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School for over 30 years, having attended the school herself as a student. Her boundless enthusiasm and passion for the ancient world has only increased over this time. She passionately believes that all students in the state sector should have access to a Classical education, and has taught Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation to thousands. Former students who now have children at the school remember her lessons with fondness. She is tireless in her promotion of the subject, leading the department through numerous changes with calmness and the utmost professionalism. Of her many notable achievements, teaching GCSE and A Level Greek off timetable and in her own time for many years best encapsulates her dedication to the subject and her students. She has also played her part in mentoring the next generation of teachers, having recently led a local School Direct course for Classics trainees to pass on her wisdom and experience. For all of this and more, she is a very worthy recipient of a lifetime achievement award, recognising the unwavering commitment she has to her school, the impact she has had on the lives of so many, and that she has given her working life to the promotion of Classics.