Classics Conference

A Level Classicists joined students from across the GDST network for a day of university-style lectures exploring topics beyond the curriculum.

Following two inaugural events at South Hampstead, this year’s Classics Conference moved to Notting Hill & Ealing High School GDST, where over 20 of our Sixth Form Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation students learned more about the fields of ancient literature, art, history and philosophy.

Of the six pupil presentations, four were delivered by our own Upper Sixth students: Jen on Roman domestic archaeology; Katie on Lucan’s Bellum Civile; Sophie on Lucretius; and Zoe on Tiresias. Meanwhile, Eleanor in the Lower Sixth won the classical essay competition for her work on the Iliad and the representation of violence. As well as having forging links with fellow GDST Classicists, students also had the opportunity to make contact with cultural and art historian Professor Carrie Vout from the University of Cambridge.

All pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 learn Latin at South Hampstead, with many continuing to GCSE and A Level; Classical Greek is offered from Year 9 and above, and Classical Civilisation at A Level, with students often progressing to read classical subjects at leading universities, including several to Oxbridge most years. The department leads regular visits to plays, galleries and museums in the UK as well as to Classical sites in France, Greece, Italy and Turkey. Thriving lunchtime Classics Societies and participation in the annual Latin Reading Competition are testament to the popularity of the Classics at South Hampstead, whilst staff share their expertise through our outreach programme, which includes teaching at our local, state secondary school, UCL Academy.