An Alvaston academy teacher has been awarded for her exceptional teaching of Latin lessons for Year 7, 8 and 9 students.

Claire Wingfield, a teacher at Noel-Baker Academy, part of L.E.A.D. Academies Trust, received commendation from Classics for All for her work to bring weekly Latin lessons to life, as she was selected from over 175 schools in the region to win the award for the East Midlands.

Classics for All is a national charity offering state school teachers flexible support to introduce or enhance a classical subject such as Latin, classical mythology, or Roman Britain to their curriculum.

Claire’s nomination came as a result of her work with Dr Jane Ainsworth, Classics for All’s Regional Co-ordinator in the East Midlands, based at the University of Leicester’s School of Archaeology and Ancient History who has helped Claire to develop the Latin curriculum. Dr Ainsworth has also delivered a talk during Careers Week about working as an archaeologist to help broaden the students’ horizons and encourage them to consider a future career in the sector.

All Key Stage 3 students (Years 7, 8 and 9) at Noel-Baker Academy receive a Latin lesson each week, focusing on enhancing their language skills, whilst learning more about the ancient world and its history. Noel-Baker Academy’s most recent Ofsted inspection report highlights how students “use their knowledge of Latin to help them understand other subjects, such as science and English.”

The lessons in Latin also further support language learning in other subject areas of focus at Noel-Baker Academy, including Spanish and French – both of which are available for students to study at GCSE.

The academy had originally been inspired and supported by Alison Henshaw, one of Classics for All’s team of trainers, to implement the subject into the curriculum. She also helped to develop and train staff at the academy. Alison is also a local guide leader, where she has been drumming up excitement amongst her guides to start Latin at Noel-Baker next academic year.