The Latin Revival
12 June 2007
Over a recent Bank Holiday weekend, pupils from across Europe took part in a European Latin Competition including two from Birkdale School, Sheffield.
James Mullen, who collected a Highly Commended prize in the Classical Heritage section of the competition, and Richard Wilson, travelled to Malvern in Worcestershire, to tackle a tough translation. Using a video-conferencing link, the students from England, Paris and Berlin battled it out to beat each other.
Boris Johnson, an ardent supporter of Latin, appeared on video to add his best wishes to the event. “If you are able to compose sentences in Latin you will never write a dud sentence in English.” (Source Guardian Newspaper). Mr Johnson, in his new role of president of the Joint Association of Classical Teachers, is trying to revive the subject and will be visiting schools to promote Latin and its lasting value.
Latin has always been a part of the curriculum at Birkdale School, with numbers at an all time high in both GCSE and A level.
Birkdale School is doing its bit also to promote Latin in the state sector. Virginia Sherborne, Joint Head of Classics at Birkdale, runs a lunch time Latin club for Y5 at Nether Green junior school where pupils are enjoying expanding their language skills and also learning about the Roman Empire.
