Why inner-city youngsters are learning Latin again

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Twenty primaries and secondaries in some of London's toughest areas have introduced lessons to improve pupils' literacy.

Teachers say the classes are already helping youngsters who are non-native English speakers.

Scroll down for more...

Comeback: Schools in some of London's toughest areas have introduced Latin lessons to improve pupils' literacy. (Posed by models)

The Iris Project, named after the messenger-goddess in Roman mythology, was so successful in trials at two of the capital's primary schools last year that it has been extended to 18 more.

The scheme - which will benefit 750 pupils this year - is the brainchild of Dr Lorna Robinson, a former teacher at the public school Wellington College.

She set it up in "frustration" that state schools were being denied the chance to benefit from Latin lessons.

Her experiment began at Benthal Primary in Hackney, where she has been teaching for the past year, and a primary in Kilburn.

"Latin is perceived as being just for the privileged," Dr Robinson said.

"In fact, you can look at the roots of Latin words and see how English words have been made.

"It really helps pupils struggling to learn English and spelling."

Children learn the language - which was in use more than 2,000 years ago - through activities such as word cards.

Latin was sidelined on state school timetables following the introduction of the National Curriculum in 1988. In that year, more than 16,000 pupils took the subject at GCSE.