Beyond the classroom
Modern
classics
Elizabeth Burrows explores the recent resurgence of traditional subjects and pursuits, positioning independent institutions as custodians of an ‘old-school’ education
Radley students squeeze in an extracurricular game of croquet before their Leavers’ Dinner
“OUR TEACHERS SPEAK ABOUT THEIR SUBJECTS LIKE a precious jewel, it’s infectious. Being knowledgeable and passionate about Homer, Aristotle or Rembrandt arguably MAKES YOU A MUCH MORE INTERESTING PERSON”
In a world increasingly obsessed with the newest iPhone model or AI iteration, you’re more likely to find your child learning a new coding language than an ancient tongue. Classical subjects have been in decline since the mid-noughties. According to Ofqual’s 2025 data, today ancient languages (Latin and Ancient Greek)1 account for just 0.2 % of all GCSE entries nationally2. But, like a true Hercules, independent schools are doing the heavy lifting in sustaining more than 60%3 of that uptake. In the private sector, at least, there’s a small but mighty movement towards the past, furthered by ‘oldfashioned’ extracurriculars and heritage offerings, from croquet to blacksmithery. The result? A very contemporary, renaissance education.
Transferable skills
Fewer than 3% of state primaries offer Latin or Ancient Greek, subjects 65% of independent schools support4. In prep schools, it’s never too early to embark on the quest for ancient knowledge. At Packwood Haugh and Papplewick schools, students start exploring myths and legends in year five, before starting Latin in year six. “It’s a great way to align with our teaching of Spanish,” notes Will Goldsmith, Head of Packwood. Jonathan Cooper, Deputy Head of Papplewick in Ascot, finds other benefits: “success at classics seems to be viewed as a useful “differentiator” by most of the senior schools we feed.”
At Radley, 62% of year-nine boys study Latin, Greek or classical civilisation and this year, 21 boys are choosing AS-level history of art, the school’s biggest cohort yet – and one of the largest in the country. What’s the secret? “Our teachers speak about their subjects like a precious jewel,
At Woldingham School, almost a tenth of all students receive some form of fee assistance, including five out of eight of its recent Head Girls
Support system
Tracey Davies learns how independent schools have adapted to continue o ering families assistance since the introduction of VAT on fees
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The University of Nottingham
With university fees rising and routes to employment becoming ever more challenging, Samantha Dainty examines the alternative routes students are taking to gain knowledge, experience and forge future success
Islosinguniversity its s magic?
ENJOY THE SEASON
Get inspired by summertime fun for all ages, consider a glamping staycation, and win a Spanish break for four
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VRoughing it royally
Tracey Davies and her family go glamping on the Sandringham
Estate
ast empty skies, wild dune-backed beaches and a flattened landscape peppered by stately piles and the odd windmill, Norfolk is like landing on a di erent planet for my city kids. But as fans of Netflix drama The Crown, a holiday on the Sandringham Estate, the Norfolk retreat of King Charles et al, is an easy sell for my teenage daughters.
But rather than snuggling up with the corgis in the drawing room of Sandringham House, as the girls had quietly hoped, we’re bunking down under canvas in the Royal Parkland.
Last year, Experience Freedom, the glamping arm of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, launched a clutch of fancy safari tents for us commoners to enjoy on its Sandringham Estate campsite. And watching wild rabbits hop through the ferns, owls hooting in the trees and the odd pheasant stop by to say hello, I decide that our safari tent feels nicely authentic, as if we’re camping in Norfolk’s Masai Mara.
We’ve brought along Miss Babs, our beloved not-quite-a-corgi rescue dog, who’s in her element exploring the
20,000-acre estate. Tucked away from the main camping site, the safari tents are set in woodland with many scenic trails on the doorstep. On our (many) dog walks, my daughters Nancy and Lola keep their eyes peeled for any handsome younger royals who might be passing through.
While it might not have the grandeur of Sandringham House, our safari tent is very comfortable – much more glamping than camping. It’s fitted with a proper kitchen with a hob, a microwave and even a dishwasher, the smart bathroom has a double shower and underfloor heating, and there’s a wood-burning stove in the sitting room for cooler days. Our favourite hangout is the large veranda with views over the forest. Adding to our wildlife score is a pair of baby wood pigeons nesting under a wooden chair, much to the girls’ delight – and the angst of Miss Babs.
And there’s plenty to see and do along the North Norfolk coast. Blessed with blue skies and sunshine, our week is largely spent bobbing around the county’s beautiful beaches. The wide, flat sands of Holkham have become a favourite, not least as it was frequented by the late queen and the Queen Mother, who would often picnic here. Favourites of London
second-homers, Wells-next-the-Sea and nearby Burnham Market are considered the chichest spots in North Norfolk, reflected by their respective gluts of gorgeous delis, small-batch co ee shops and gastropubs like, The Hoste Arms.
Hunstanton is our closest beach – a sweep of golden sands under candystripe-red cli s. A classic seaside resort, it has the full armoury of amusement arcades, fish-and-chip shops and ice cream parlours. It also has Norfolk’s only seal sanctuary, part of the SEA LIFE Centre, which rescues and rehabilitates poorly seals found around the coast.
A few miles east is Old Hunstanton, a
Sandringham House sits at the heart of the verdant 20,000 acre royal estate
Tracey and her daughters enjoyed stopping at seaside pubs during dog walks