On the 11th March 2020, the School of Classics at St Andrews, in collaboration with the Classical Association of Scotland and Advocating Classics Education, organised an event for secondary school teachers titled Introducing Classics in State Schools.
The aim of the event was to bring together teachers who are thinking about introducing Classical subjects in their schools, and discuss the ways it can be achieved and the kinds of support that are available. Thirteen state schoolteachers from all over Scotland attended the event, alongside one retired and two public school teachers of Classics, two representatives of the SQA, and two Masters students from Divinity who are considering a teaching career after their degree.l
The event began with a talk by Edith Hall representing ACE and explaining the support it offers to aspiring teachers of Classics in the UK. Three current state schoolteachers then talked about their experiences introducing Classics in their schools: Jennifer Shearer from Kirkcaldy High, Seb Sewell from Royal High in Edinburgh, and Lucy Angel from Mackie Academy in Stonehaven.
A presentation by the leaders of the new PGDE in Latin / Latin and Classical Studies at Moray House in Edinburgh was followed by Alex Imrie representing the Classical Association of Scotland and Classics for All and outlining the support and resources available. The event was concluded with a lively roundtable discussion.
