Latin makes a comeback for state secondary pupils

Latin is to be taught at state schools across England in an effort to counter the subject’s reputation as one that is “elitist” and largely taught at private schools.

A £4m ($5.5m) Department for Education scheme will initially be rolled out across 40 schools as part of a four-year pilot. According to a British Council survey, Latin is taught at key stage 3 in fewer than 3% of state schools, compared with 49% of independent schools.

The classicist Prof Mary Beard welcomed the move, saying she was “absolutely delighted” that more children would be studying an “extraordinarily enriching subject”.