History of the Summer School in Classics

London Summer School in Classics

A Shory History

The LSSC began in 1976. It was part of an ILEA (Inner London Education Authority) programme of extra activities and was almost entirely undertaken by school children. Academics often taught on it and it was seen as giving school children a chance to meet university teachers.  Since then, there have been a number of changes. In 1994, the LSSC Committee organised a major consultation process to find out what schools wanted. Later, the demographic and type of participants changed to about half school children and half students. Many students were taking history and theology and needed to pick up an ancient language. Now the LSSC accepts students of all ages from 14 years old and often welcomes participants in their 80s.  The type of tutors have changed too: there are fewer academics teaching and instead there are more retired school or university teachers and graduate students.

The Summer School at first provided an intensive course of Greek and Latin language teaching, but in recent years other languages have been added, including Biblical Hebrew, Coptic, Syriac, New Testament Greek, Byzantine Greek, Hittite, Sumerian and Sanskrit. Lectures on classical subjects, and Greek and Latin inscriptions are held at the end of the day, and for many years, there was a popular debate organised by James Robson. A party with strawberries and cream provides a fitting end each year.

Numbers have fluctuated over the years and now over 200 students attend either in person or online (online attendance having been introduced in 2021 as a result of the covid 19 pandemic).

The LSSC has been helped by grants from the Hellenic and Roman Societies, the British Academy and the Gilbert Murray Trust (Cromer-Murray awards), the JACT Greek project, and the Classical Association. The LSSC is grateful to all of them for past and ongoing support.

Dates and Directors

28 June – 7 July, 1988: KCL, Director - Charlotte Roueché
7-16 July, 1992: KCL, Director - Charlotte Roueché
7-15 July, 1998: KCL, Director - Mike Trapp
1999: UCL
2000: KCL
2001: UCL, Director – Stephen Instone
2002: KCL, Director – Ingo Gildenhard
2003: UCL, Director – Stephen Instone
2004: KCL, Director – Ingo Gildenhard
5-13 July, 2005: UCL, Director - Stephen Instone
4-12 July, 2006: KCL, Director - Fiona Haarer
10-18 July, 2007: UCL, Director - Stephen Instone
8-18 July 2008: KCL, Director - Fiona Haarer
7-16 July 2009: UCL, Director - Stephen Instone (22.12.1954 – 25.7.2009)
6-15 July 2010: KCL, Director - Fiona Haarer
5-14 July 2011: UCL, Director - Emmanuela Bakola
3-12 July 2012: KCL, Director - Fiona Haarer
9-18 July 2013: UCL, Director - Antony Makrinos
8-17 July 2014: KCL, Director - Fiona Haarer
7-16 July, 2015: UCL, Director – Dimitra Kokkini
5-14 July, 2016: KCL, Director – Fiona Haarer
4-13 July, 2017: UCL, Director – Dimitra Kokkini
10-19 July, 2018: KCL, Director – Fiona Haarer
9-18? July, 2019: UCL, Director – Dimitra Kokkini
21-30 July, 2020: UCL, Director – Fiona Haarer (cancelled due to the covid 19 pandemic)
20-29 July, 2021: UCL (online only), Director – Dimitra Kokkini
19-28 July, 2022: UCL (online only), Director – Dimitra Kokkini
18-27 July, 2023: UCL (hybrid), Director – Dimitra Kokkini
16-25 July, 2024: UCL (hybrid), Director – Dimitra Kokkini
15-24 July, 2025: UCL (hybrid), Director – Dimitra Kokkini

Dr Fiona Haarer
April 2025

This brief history has been compiled in anticipation of the celebration of the LSSC’s 50th anniversary in 2026. With thanks to Charlotte Roueché, Mike Trapp and Ingo Gildenhard for their contributions. If any readers can fill in any of the missing dates and Directors, please do get in touch.