Inner-City Latin

At The Latin Programme we are deeply committed to working with disadvantaged schools and at-risk pupils.

There is evidence that Latin works particularly well in such environments as studies in the inner-city areas of New York, Los Angles, Washington and Philadelphia have:

"dramatically demonstrated how Latin can help underprivileged inner-city children achieve great improvement in English communication skills" (Sussman, 1978, p. 351). 

As their communication skills improve we have witnessed a marked increase in childrens’ self-confidence, participation at school and their sense of belonging.

Here is Jonathan, one of our teachers, talking about the impact The Latin Programme has had one of his students and another, including David, reading a letter written to the London Mayor in Latin!

Aren't our students wonderful?  Just try not to smile while you watch.

According to the Institute of Education children from poor backgrounds must do even better than their peers in key academic subjects in order to “get on in life”.  The chance of poor pupils becoming high achievers remains low, with those who receive Free School Meals lagging behind their peers in the core subjects. 

At The Latin Programme, our students tend to experience greater disadvantage than the average with 30% receiving Free School Meals, 56% coming from minority ethnic backgrounds and fewer than half speaking English as their first language.

We  are passionate about ensuring the best future for all children.  By supporting students to increase and solidify their reading, writing and communication skills, we not only improve the likelihood of their educational success but enhance their overall life chances. Our Programme has proven results--by the end of a school year 90% of our students have attained the expected level for Reading and 83% are at the expected level for Writing.

We believe good literacy skills are key to future success.  The Latin Programme ensures that these skills are acquired at an early stage.

“We have seen a sharp increase in our literacy results as a result [of The Latin Programme]. Our ethnic-minority children who have English as an additional language are now taking pride in their mother tongue.”

Head Teacher, St Mary’s Church of England Primary School

“My daughter has really enjoyed learning Latin at school and her confidence is growing all the time. I think the experience of learning this language will really help when she moves into secondary school next year.”

Parent, South London

What skills did you acquire as a child that are valuable to you today?

Links:

• Pupils from poor families 'still at disadvantage'