Eye-opening GCSE Classics Study Day at QEH

Some of our GCSE Classicists travelled for a Classics Study Day at QEH, where lots of different schools met to think about all things Classical. The day featured lectures from leading academics in the field: Dr Rodda and Dr Wood from Oxford University talked and answered questions on ‘Clever Women in the Odyssey’ and ‘The Alexander Sarcophagus’ respectively, and Dr Constantini from Bristol University helped us to understand ‘Virgil and the Aeneid’.

All of the lectures were excellent, but the one that seemed to leave the students thinking the most was Tom Covill from Equity for Classics, who gave a lecture titled ‘Diversity in the Roman Empire’. He introduced the students to lots of ideas around Africa’s role in the Classical World, from the Kingdom of Kush and Queen Amanirenas, and explored why these subjects might have dropped off the curriculum – something that prompted a lot of audience questions. As part of drive to increase the teaching in the subject, we’re lucky to be hosting Tom and his colleagues for some sessions in the summer term, where he’ll be working with Key Stage 3 groups to broaden the horizons of the subject – keep an eye out in the notices for more information!

The QEH teachers were also very impressed with our Fairfield students, commenting on how well behaved and engaged they were. We were also picked out by one of the lecturers for our work with the University on diversifying the Classics curriculum – well done Mr Taylor and well done students! They were a real credit to the school.