Classics students take a trip back in time to Ancient Greece and Rome

Fifteen A Level and International Baccalaureate (IB) students at Exeter College took a trip back in time to Ancient Greece and Rome at the University of Exeter, with the chief culture writer of the Guardian Charlotte Higgins.

The group of students recently took part in day-long workshop featuring the leading national newspaper writer Charlotte Higgins, and academics at the world class University of Exeter, a leading Russell group university.

The event was organised by Advocating Classics Education, an AHRC funded research project designed to promote the study of Classical Civilisation and Ancient History in secondary schools.

The day featured a talk from Charlotte Higgins, chief culture writer of the Guardian and a member of its editorial board.

The workshop at the university is one of a number of similar events taking place at leading universities across the UK. Students from Exeter College and other local schools from the South West took part in a range of workshops, including sessions on Roman architecture and Greek tragedy.

Second year Classics students from Exeter College performed an outstanding presentation on the Battle of Thermopylae.

Dr Mike Beer, Head of Modern Foreign Languages and Classics Programme Leader, who is also an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, said: “The students who took part in the day’s activities did so with enthusiasm and drive, and were excellent ambassadors for the subject. Lecturers from the Department of Classis and Ancient History were impressed by their subject knowledge and their presentation was warmly greeted.”

Meanwhile, former Exeter College student and alumnus Liam Preston, who was taught by Mike Beer in 2010, also attended the day. Liam is now completing his MA in Classics at the University of Exeter and is looking to do his PhD.

• Inspired? Fascinated with Graeco-Roman antiquity and its impact upon the modern world. Did you know that Exeter College offers an A Level in Classical Civilisation and you can apply now for September 2018. Click here to find out more. https://www.exe-coll.ac.uk/Course/classical-civilisation/a-level