UCL Department of Greek & Latin

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The Iris Project

Inner London Latin Project

The Iris Project is a registered educational charity promoting Classics in the United Kingdom, by running initiatives in state schools and communities, which give access to Classical subjects. It targets socially-excluded boroughs of inner London and schools with high numbers of disadvantaged children. It runs three major projects: the Iris Magazine, the Inner London Ancient Drama Project and the Inner London Latin Project.

What is the Inner London Latin Project?

The project has been running for over two years in the capital's state primary schools, offering pupils in large, mixed-ability classes the opportunity to learn about Latin in fun, accessible and relevant ways.

Student teachers from the classics departments of King's College London and University College London deliver a year-long course to years 5 and 6 in inner London schools, introducing Latin using activities and games and offering a taste of Classical myths and culture through storytelling and drama.

Students have the unique opportunity to attend specific training sessions run by the King's College London Department of Education and Professional Studies, one of only three education departments in the UK to offer PGCE training in Classics. Over the course of the year students are also given supervision in class and are supported by the project leaders and department liaison officers.

The project provides access to the fascinating subjects of Latin and Classics for hundreds of inner city school children. It also enables students to engage with local communities, gain experience and training in teaching, while also developing a range of other new skills.

What commitment does it involve?

Students teach for one hour every week during each of the three university terms. This is contact time in the classroom and does not include travel to and from the schools. In addition students are required to attend a training course in September run by the Department of Education and Professional Studies, King’s College London. Students are given lesson plans and worksheets along with a selection of relevant activities and games.  For more information, please see:

How do I become a student teacher?

There are usually around 10-15 places per year for student teachers in the 2nd and 3rd years of their undergraduate course. If you are interested in taking part, then contact one of the following for further information:

Lorna Robinson, Director of the Iris Project
Email: lorna@irismagazine.org

Press coverage

For some recent press coverage of the initiative see

• BBC
• Education Guardian (scroll down the page)