This September, pupils at Outwood Academy Foxhills in Scunthorpe will start participating in an innovative and ambitious programme aiming to help thousands of pupils in England to get on track for high achievement in GCSE Latin. 

The Department for Education’s Latin Excellence Programme (LEP) supports schools to deliver an evidence-informed Latin curriculum designed to be accessible to all students aged 11 to 16. Non-selective state schools from across all regions of England are participating in the programme, which is being delivered by Future Academies.

Year 9 students at the academy will spend up to two hours a week studying Latin and will have access to a broad range of enrichment activities, including school trips and taster sessions in other classical subjects.

By taking part, pupils will be able to access some of the wider benefits of classical education, including improved literacy, broadened vocabulary, increased academic resilience and access to empowering knowledge.

Tracy Motson, Head of School at Outwood Academy Foxhills said:

“I am delighted that we are adding Latin to our curriculum offer, giving students the opportunity to develop cultural literacy. The addition will further help our amazing students realise their full potential in line with our mission of raising standards and transforming lives.” 

The programme is funded by the Department for Education over the course of four years and will help over 8,000 school pupils in England to learn Latin.  

Charles Furber, Director of the Latin Excellence Programme, said:

“There are currently over 2,500 young people in 18 state schools across England benefitting from the Latin Excellence Programme, with another 22 schools joining the programme from September. 

“There are enormous benefits to learning Latin as it teaches students about linguistics and can improve literacy as well as give them access to interesting and important knowledge about the ancient world. This year we are delighted to welcome Outwood Academy Foxhills to the programme and cannot wait to support the school’s fantastic teachers to deliver the best possible Latin provision for their pupils.”