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Report by the Director on the JACT Classical Civilisation and Ancient History
Summer School, held at Repton School 13th - 18th July 2013
This year the sun positively blazed down on the Classical Civilisation and Ancient History
Summer School! We had 70 students, 50 Year 12, the remainder consisting of Year 11 and
13 students. Five of our students were returners from previous years: it was a pleasure to see
how they had developed and matured, and they made themselves very useful through
‘knowing the ropes’. The gender balance was far from equal, with 50 girls to 20 boys, but
this did not prove a problem. Forty came from independent schools, the rest from the state
sector apart from a few who came from abroad. A large number of schools from all over the
country were represented, with no more than four students coming from any one school: most
students came alone or with one other from their school, which led to many new friendships
being formed through Classics. We found ourselves over-subscribed at the deadline for
applications, and with regret had to turn down a substantial number of applicants. However,
we have found from past experience that 70 is the optimum number for the working of the
course, and so were unwilling to extend the number of students -nevertheless it’s good to see
such interest in Classics prevailing.
There were 10 tutors, three of whom were teaching at the Summer School for the first time.
In response to suggestions by students in past years, we have arrived at a wide range of topics
taught, under broad subject areas: History (Minoans and Myceneans, Athens and Sparta,
Roman Republic, Life and times of Cicero, Alexander the Great), Literature and Culture (Art
and Architecture, Historiography, Tragedy, Comedy, Greek and Latin Lyric poetry), Epic
(Iliad and Aeneid), Philosophy (Ancient and Modern Philosophical problems, Life and times
of Socrates), Language (Greek and Latin) and Mythology. Students are expected to take five
out of the six courses on offer, but in fact the majority opted for all six teaching sessions per
day. During free time in the afternoon all students were able to take full advantage of the
excellent swimming and tennis facilities at Repton, as well as the (Classics-related) books,
DVDs and board games on offer. Evenings were spent in preparing for drama productions for
the final evening, which thanks to the fine weather took place in the open air. All the students
were involved in some capacity - acting, directing, costumes and props or music. The tragedy
this year was Euripides’ Alcestis, followed by the comedy Aristophanes’ Frogs. We were
delighted to have as our visiting lecturer Dr Rosie Wyles, a former tutor at the summer
school, who gave an inspiring talk on the transgressive and ‘crossover’ elements of both
plays.
The feedback responses returned by students were overwhelmingly positive about their
experience. Many were surprised at how much they had achieved in such a short space of
time. The most common theme was that being with so many people who shared a love of the
ancient world was an exhilarating and unforgettable experience.
Of course many students would be denied this experience were it not for the generosity of a
number of bodies. We gratefully acknowledge support from The Cambridge School Classics
Project, The Classical Association, The JACT Greek Project, The Jowett Copyright Trust,
The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies and the University of Cambridge Faculty of
Classics.
The Summer School is, as always, very grateful to Repton School Enterprises, whose
facilities make possible a residential summer school and all the opportunities which arise
from that. Finally, the Summer School simply could not have taken place without the work of
Emma Evans, the Course Secretary, who has dealt calmly and efficiently with processing
applications, liaising with Repton to sort accommodation and travel, and generally ensured
the smooth running of the course. We are delighted that she will be continuing in this role
next year, and that Lynette Fortey Burnett, one of this (and previous) year’s tutors, will be
taking over as Director next year.
Frances Shaw, Director