Mr. P Seaman, Queensmead School. Introducing Class Civ A’ Level into a NW London comprehensive state school ‘with a fair degree of trepidation’
About 7 years ago we introduced Classical Civilisation A Level into our comprehensive state school in North West London.
It was with a fair degree of trepidation that we started the course, and with only three students in the first year there was a great fear that this would be a short-lived experiment that would be a passing odd-ball footnote.
Now we are undertaking our third trip with Hellene Travel and have fully indoctrinated our GCSE and A Level students in the wonders of the ancient world.
We have taken on pupils from a wide range of backgrounds and converted them from the evils of STEM subjects to the true light.
We regularly outnumber English Literature in terms of takeup and have sent students to study Ancient History and Classics across the country; a few have even expressed an interest in teaching the subject after finishing at university.
This is, I hope, one of many good signs that the subject remains as strong as ever.
Phil Seaman
Head of Year Twelve
Teacher of Classics and History
Queensmead School
