Written evidence submitted by Danielle
Fairey
1. I am Head of Classics at Cranbrook School
in Kent where we have a strong take-up of AS and A level Classical
Civilisation. I ask the Select Committee to consider the following
figures taken from our current Year 11 options for A level subjects.
Of a cohort of 150 those opting for A level English Literature
are 10; for Geography 17; for Politics 21; for History 27 and
for Classical Civilisation 27. As you can see, the value of the
study of Classical Civilisation is high. Indeed it rather neatly
incorporates study of literature, history, politics and even geography
and for this reason it is popular and certainly falls under the
heading of a humanity.
2. Students of A level Classical Civilisation
from my school, where this is one of their three main A levels,
have regularly received offers from the Oxbridge Universities
who regard it as a rigorous subject.
3. Removal of Classical Civilisation will remove
the contact that our students have with the origins of the literature
of the Western World. The thought that it is only valid if studied
in its original form is a misinformed one.
4. I suspect that the Committee really has no
idea what goes into teaching Classical Civilisation. Reading
a specification goes some of the way to understanding content,
but spending time with students and teachers of the subject would
lead to a better informed decision.
5. It makes no sense to exclude the WJEC certificates
in Latin from the list of valid E-Bac subjects. This new certification,
which is recognised by all universities as a valid qualification,
is should not be excluded due to a technical point. Latin is Latin
whatever the exam board, and a Level 2 is a recognised GCSE equivalent
level qualification. It is doing a lot of good for the study of
Latin in our schools, particularly in the State sector. To dismiss
this WJEC course would be illogical.
21 March 2011
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