On Monday, our Classics Centre was opened by renowned Classicist Dr Peter Jones MBE. Located adjacent to the school in Ivor Place, ours is the first Classics Centre to be opened this century!

Our Headmaster has commented on the fundamental importance of the study of Classics today:

“Both the agonies and the ecstasies of our modern society have already been played out for us in the Classical World. There are easy parallels between the struggles of the Roman Empire and the consumer society of today and there is considerable wisdom to be picked up from the philosophy of Aristotle, Socrates and Plato. Believe it or not, the Classics have almost never been so popular and relevant as they are now, in the twenty-first century.”

In order to broaden the reach of our Classics offering, we have established close ties with St Marylebone Church of England School for Girls, a local school, where the FHS Classics teachers offer Latin classes to pupils in Years 8, 9, 10, 11. Our new Centre will allow us to further develop this offering.

Kat Pugh, Head of St Marylebone, has commented on how valuable this offering from Francis Holland has been, saying: “Francis Holland’s provision of subject specialist Latin lessons to our students in Key Stages 3 and 4 has been a tremendous success. Our GCSE students have been inspired and enriched by the subject and, in response to their enthusiasm, they’ll now also be offered A-Level Latin from Francis Holland too. The teaching is excellent, including the adaptability of the teachers to another school’s ways and means. Not only has this terrific curriculum offer kept alive an otherwise fading subject in state education, it has developed our students’ scholarship, commitment and academic confidence. Our Classics team and students are really grateful for this meaningful collaboration.”  

We will be hosting a Classics Festival in the Classics Centre in the next academic year, consisting of lectures from academics to around 90 students taking Classical subjects at GCSE and A Level from schools all over London and the South-East.

Watch this space!