Have your say – the survey is now open
In December 2021, the Classical Association joined forces with Classics for All to survey the teaching community to gain a better understanding of both the current state of classics and the experience of teachers in schools across the country. The results prompted the Classical Association to begin a review of the English classical qualifications, in anticipation of the next round of exam reform. The aim is to better prepare the subject community for reform, and to ensure that the voices of teachers are at the forefront of these conversations.
As a result, the CA has created Subject Advisory Teams for each of the subject areas, made up of practitioners from across the country and from a variety of educational settings. These teams are overseen by a Steering Committee which comprises representatives from the CA, Classics for All, and a teacher independent to the Subject Teams. At present, the teams are reviewing the current specifications and prioritising the areas for development in each of the subjects areas.
The Classical Association is working in collaboration with the exam boards to ensure that the views of the teaching community are heard as clearly as possible in order to shape their work both on the current specifications and plans for the future.
GCSE and A Level Ancient History
The Classical Association Qualifications Review continues this term, with the release of our second survey, focused on GCSE and A Level Ancient History.
Last term, the Classical Association began surveying the teaching community as part of their review of the English classical qualifications, with the aim of better preparing the subject community for future exam reform, and to ensure that the voices of teachers are at the forefront of these conversations.
In January, we released our first survey, focused on classical languages. We received a very positive response from the teaching community, and the Classical Association are now reviewing this feedback in order to develop proposals for GCSE and A Level Latin & Greek.
The Subject Advisory Team for Ancient History has developed the following set of guiding principles which are driving their discussions and development of proposals:
1. Ensure that, as far as possible, there is a 360 panoramic of the diversity of human experience in each component of the GCSE and A Level specifications.
2. Ensure that, as far as possible, there is a wide and balanced range of sources for students to explore and engage with in each component of the GCSE and A Level specifications.
3. Be able to evidence how aspects of any particular component across the key stages can be used by teachers to raise awareness of, and invite discussion of, issues of contemporary relevance to students.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey. We would like to hear from as many practitioners as possible, so please circulate this to your colleagues.
The survey closed on Monday 9th September 2024.
We will be releasing a further survey on Classical Civilisation later in the year.
If you have any questions, or would like to discuss certain matters further, please contact us: education@classicalassociation.org
Core Steering Committee
Gráinne Cassidy – Education Co-ordinator
Professor Sharon Marshall – outgoing Chair of CATB
Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson – Vice-Chair of CATB and Partnerships Officer
Steven Hunt – Associate Teaching Professor, Editor of JCT, CfA Trainer
Alice Case – CfA Programmes Director
Stuart Macaulay – DHT, Rooks Heath High School
Subject Advisory Teams
Our experienced and diverse Subject Teams are driving our conversations about qualifications reform and helping us shape our CPD and resource provision.
Key: Orange = State School | Blue = Independent School | Green = HE institution
GCSE Languages
Reps: Chris Burnand, Abingdon School & Jess Dixon,
Woldingham School
David Hogg, Kelmscott School
Lottie Mortimer, Tiffin Girls’ School
Julie Wilkinson, Nower Hill High School
Edmund Lewis, Winchester College
Charles Furber, Future Academies
Amy Coker – Cheltenham Ladies’ College
A Level Languages
Reps: Chris Burnand, Abingdon School & Jess Dixon,
Woldingham School
Rosalind Aczel, Colchester Royal Grammar School
Will Johnson, Nower Hill High School
Katy Waterfield, Magdalen College School
Simon Trafford, Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School
Andy Mylne, Westminster School
Ancient History
Rep: James Renshaw, Godolphin & Latymer School
Tara Atkinson, Nower Hill High School
Anna McOmish, Haybridge High School
Peter Wright, Blackpool College
Matt Gee, Xaverian College
Emma Beetham, York College
Anthony Smart, Teach First
HE Rep – Stephen Harrison, Swansea University
Classical Civilisation
Rep: Rob Hancock-Jones, Townley Grammar School
Joanne McNamara, CfA NW Co-ordinator
Francesca Grilli, Runshaw College
Alastair Thorley, Liverpool College
Andrew McHale, Riddlesdown Collegiate
Gemma Adams, Allerton Grange School
Athina Mitropoulos, Queens Gate School
HE Rep – James Robson & Stephanie Holton, The Open University