About Us
Birmingham Network Co-ordinator
Birmingham Network Academic Lead
Birmingham Network Academic Lead
Hebe Barlow began studying Classical Civilisation at aged 13, and has continued to do so ever since. She gained an Ancient History degree from the University of Birmingham, and then a Secondary Latin and Classics PGCE at the University of Sussex. Deciding to return to Birmingham and her studies, Hebe completed a masters in Ancient History
Hebe Barlow began studying Classical Civilisation at aged 13, and has continued to do so ever since. She gained an Ancient History degree from the University of Birmingham, and then a Secondary Latin and Classics PGCE at the University of Sussex. Deciding to return to Birmingham and her studies, Hebe completed a masters in Ancient History, and is now working towards her Ancient History PhD part time.
Since returning to Birmingham Hebe has combined her love of teaching and Classics through her work with Classics for All, and took over as the Network co-ordinator in 2022.
Birmingham Network Academic Lead
Birmingham Network Academic Lead
Birmingham Network Academic Lead
Dr Elena Theodorakopoulos is a Senior Lecturer in Classics at the University of Birmingham. She specialises in Roman poetry of the Republic and Principate, and the reception of classical culture and literature in contemporary film and literature.
Elena has supported the work of Classics for All for many years, and she is the chair of the
Dr Elena Theodorakopoulos is a Senior Lecturer in Classics at the University of Birmingham. She specialises in Roman poetry of the Republic and Principate, and the reception of classical culture and literature in contemporary film and literature.
Elena has supported the work of Classics for All for many years, and she is the chair of the trustees of the Primary Latin Project.
To contact Elena directly, email:
Warwick Network Co-ordinator
Birmingham Network Academic Lead
Warwick Network Co-ordinator
Dr Paul Grigsby is a Research Fellow in Classics Outreach and Engagement at the University of Warwick. His main areas of interest include ancient Greek Religion and the region of Boeotia, and he runs a module on Public Engagement in Classics giving students the opportunity to share their interest in group projects, many involving local sc
Dr Paul Grigsby is a Research Fellow in Classics Outreach and Engagement at the University of Warwick. His main areas of interest include ancient Greek Religion and the region of Boeotia, and he runs a module on Public Engagement in Classics giving students the opportunity to share their interest in group projects, many involving local schools. Paul became Network co-ordinator of the Warwick Classics Network in 2018, working with Classics for All to bring Classics to Coventry and Warwickshire. To contact Paul email paul.grigsby@Warwick.ac.uk
The Birmingham and West Midlands Classics Network
The Birmingham and West Midlands Classics Network was launched in Spring 2018 to support new and existing classics teaching in state schools. We support a range of classical subjects, from Ancient Greek and Latin to classical civilisation and ancient history. The network is hosted by the Department of Classics, Ancient History, and Archaeology at the University of Birmingham, and is funded by Classics for All.
Thanks to the support of Classics for All, and a growing network of primary and secondary school teachers, classics is enjoying a resurgence in the region. Together we make a persuasive case for the place of classical subjects as part of a diverse and progressive twenty-first century curriculum.
After six years, we are thrilled at the response from regional schools:
- 87 schools - 49 primary and 38 secondary schools are currently part of our growing network and receive support to teach classical subjects.
- We have equipped over 700 teachers, many of whom had never studied classics before, to teach classical subjects through regular training and continuing professional development.
- We have introduced over 18,000 pupils to the classical world.
Left: Schools in the West Midlands which have engaged with our network
We have seen a large area of growth at Key Stage 2. 31 primary schools have adopted Latin as their main foreign language using the Minimus and Maximum Classics courses, and we're currently working to establish regular, long-term support for these pioneering teachers.
Moving forward, we will be all about making the most of the region’s burgeoning classics community by facilitating opportunities for mentoring, networking, and resource sharing between local schools. We are also keen to support innovative approaches to classics teaching at Key Stage 3 by developing materials that will enhance the curricula of subjects like English, history, and citizenship.
The network’s links to the Department of Classics, Ancient History, and Archaeology at the University of Birmingham and the local branch of the Classical Association provide additional ongoing support and enrichment, including an annual INSET day for teachers, a revision conference for sixth-formers, and regular public lectures from academics and public figures.
We are eager to hear from schools both with and without existing classics provision. Please get in touch for free advice, training, and ongoing support - whatever your needs - to ensure that classics thrives in the long term in your school.
Right: schools in the Birmingham area who have engaged with our network
Why Classics?
The term ‘Classics’ refers to the study of the languages, literatures, material culture, and history of the ancient world, and their influence on later periods and cultures right up to the present day.
It is one of the most varied and interdisciplinary subjects and can include the study of literature, history, philosophy, art and archaeology.
For generations a classical education was considered a privilege for the few, not the many. However today its revival in primary and secondary state schools is well underway.
There is increasing evidence that the study of classical subjects helps to:
- Raise pupils’ aspirations and achievement. Widening access to classical subjects can help to break the link between educational opportunity and disadvantage, giving pupils the confidence to progress to higher education.
- Develop cultural literacy: Ideas, stories and mythology from the ancient world continue to influence modern art and literature. Classical ideas are constantly being reworked in theatre, film, works of fiction and more. An awareness of these links can offer pupils a new perspective on the world around them.
- Encourage cultural insight: By reading original texts and studying material culture, students can gain an insight into people of the ancient world. There is much in the ancient world that speaks to contemporary issues around sex and gender, race, class, social mobility etc.
- Support English literacy: The rigorous approach to word-level and sentence-level linguistic competency of these ancient languages can build a strong foundation for literacy across the curriculum.
- Enrich pupils’ vocabulary: It’s estimated that more than 65% of English words have Greek or Latin roots. Knowing the meaning of these root words helps to anchor knowledge of spelling and meaning in a wider linguistic context and can help pupils determine the meaning of words they may not recognise in English.
- Complement modern foreign language learning: Through learning Latin or Ancient Greek, pupils understand grammatical structures and can recognise linguistic patterns repeated across several languages. A linguistic foundation in ancient languages can help pupils become more self-aware and builds confidence.