Report on the J.A.C.T. Latin Summer School 2007

Wells Cathedral School 23rd July – 2nd August 2007-09-23

“Gerunds are gorgeous!”

As I look back on 10 years as Director, it is pleasing to note the many ways in which the summer school has developed. An enjoyment of Latin through the reading of texts, both prose and verse, has always been at the heart of the summer school. The recruitment of a widening pool of tutors who share an enthusiasm for the language and an ability to communicate to and share with their students has been important in maintaining and developing that ethos. If students do not enjoy their time with us, then we are doing something wrong. The fact that they are able to come and work so hard, reading so much Latin, and still say that they have had the time of their lives (as several did this year), gives me great me great encouragement when considering the future of our subject.

“I was really surprised by the fact that we could all have so much fun!”

The steady growth in numbers continued again this year, with this, the 27th summer school, now over 100% bigger than in 1997. There were 113 students in all, 108 of whom were residential. With another 20 late enquirers having to be turned away, we continue to press the school for more space as it becomes available but every time they do provide us with more, we seem to more than fill that straight away. The increase in numbers brings its own pressures, of course, and we have now outgrown our lecture hall. We are also still unable to find space to accommodate applicants from the CUCD/Friends scheme without turning away students and this remains a source of regret for me but there was not a single empty bed in the houses. Grammar clinics had also begun to become unmanageable and so this year we ran clinics at 2 levels, partly to take pressure off the advanced clinics but also to try and more effectively provide for the many beginners and near beginners about to take on undergraduate study. It is encouraging to note that the increase cannot just be put down to the lack of provision in schools creating an increased demand and the breakdown of numbers this year shows a shift back towards schools. Indeed, we had enough applicants from year 10 to run a specialist group for them and it was good to see such enthusiasm and commitment from students at such an early stage of their study of the language. New this year, too, was a very popular visit from the excellent Hellenic Bookservice as we seek to meet the needs of students in any way that we can.

“I was starting to get put off Latin but now I really like it again and it’s back to being one of my favourite subjects.”

Of the 113 students this year, 71 were either at or had just left school or college, with 30 of these coming from the state sector. A further 28 came from university, 1 from the OU and 2 were from schools overseas. We have tried hard to develop the notion that the summer school can benefit a school’s best students and it was good to see so many talented linguists in the top groups, many of whom expressed an intention to read Classics at university. Of course, we continue to provide for those who are struggling for whatever reason, both through intensive study in class and through the clinics mentioned above (with handouts now also available online). The development of the internet has allowed us to reach even greater numbers of students – I spent many years struggling to reach those with whom we had no immediate point of contact but now students can search us out for themselves – but personal recommendation remains our most effective advertising.

“Great set up and great teaching. Hard work but great people and some awesome memories.”

The team of tutors grew ever larger this year and I was very pleased with the way they all worked and played together so well. The dedication and commitment of the regulars is an important factor is our success and it is important to me that they enjoy their time at the summer school as much as the students. Vicky Bingham took on the post of Director of Studies for the second year and I am grateful to her for all her hard work and wise counsel. She effectively oversaw the division of texts and carefully placed and directed both students and tutors. The director also needs to make sure that he enjoys his time in Wells and I was delighted to welcome back 2 old friends in Francis McIvor and Seth Bolderow, both of whom taught on my first summer school as director. It is important to blend experience with new blood and I was pleased to welcome to the team Catherine Nixey and PGCE student Nicola McDonald. Returning from 2006 were Alex Boyt, Aisha Khan, Bob Cowan, Seonaid Goody, Lucy Howard and David Stephenson. My thanks, of course, to all them all. Life as director is made so much easier by an effective assistant and they do not come any better than Caroline Brown, back for a 3rd year. She was assisted by Lindsey Cullen and their hard work and quiet efficiency were important factors in the smooth running of the summer school.

“I had a fantastic time, dusted off my Latin and met some great people.”

The lecture programme this year was well-balanced, entertaining and informative. The increasingly diverse nature of the audience makes it ever more difficult to address but this year’s visitors all managed to communicate across both age and ability range. Anthony Bowen was our now customary opener, with his inimitable ‘The Sound of Latin’. Every year, I take back to my teaching just a little more of what he says – maybe one day I’ll actually manage to put it all into practice! Next, we were delighted to welcome back our old friend and one-time tutor, Llewelyn Morgan, who spoke on ‘Catullus, a parody, and what it means to be Roman’. Shelley Hales then offered her thoughts on ‘Reliving the last days of Pompeii’ before opening the topic up for a fascinating discussion. Our own Bob Cowan then produced another of his outstanding literary lectures, this time on ‘Troy II – the Revenge. Re-writing (and re-fighting) the Iliad in the Aeneid.’ The ability of all our lecturers to communicate their enthusiasm is so important and we are fortunate to have so many both willing and able to share both their time and their interest. Ellen O’Gorman, a first-time visitor, tackled Latin prose, looking at ‘Tacitus and the Emperors’ before Stephen Bird, Head of Heritage Services in Bath, brought the programme to a close with ‘Cleanliness next to Godliness’. Stephen also kindly once gain hosted our very popular visit to Roman Bath, proving a personal guided tour much enjoyed by our students. My thanks to all those who contribute to this aspect of the summer school.

“Bath and Wales were both fantastic.”

The 2 trips again attracted large numbers. Sunday’s trip to South Wales benefited from good weather and I was able to take a large group around Caerwent and the barracks at Caerleon before setting them loose to explore by themselves. As mentioned, the trip to see Roman Bath was as popular as ever. This year, I also managed to take a group around Medieval and Georgian Bath before the return to Wells and it was good to see so many interested in cultures other than Roman. Free time was otherwise largely filled with work, but we did manage to fit in plenty of frisbee throwing and the now legendary end of summer school party. The staff Plautine production was as popular as ever and the appearance of excerpts on Youtube cannot be far away!

“I would like to thank you for the bursary which enabled me to attend the summer school. It's great that organisations like JACT are helping people to achieve everything they are aiming for.”

It has always been important to me to keep the cost of the summer school at a level which does not put potential students off and we also aim to provide funding for all those who would otherwise not be able to attend. I am therefore most grateful to all those who make this possible through the provision of financial support, that is, J.A.C.T., The Classical Association, The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, The Jowett Copyright Trustees, Oxford University (The Derby Fund) and the Faculty of Classics a the University of Cambridge. Without their continuing support and encouragement we would not be able to operate in the way that we do.

“All the tutors, staff and other students were fantastic… I will definitely recommend the summer school to others.”

For next year, we are returning to Wells Cathedral School from July 21st-31st. Although we are a little short of space at times, the school continues to make us most welcome and so many of the staff go out of their way to make our stay a success. The support of the headmistress, Elizabeth Caincross, is important to us and we were delighted to see her amongst the audience for Bob’s lecture. I cannot imagine a better host school in terms of the welcome which we receive and I am sure that this, too, is an important factor in the success of the summer school.

“Thankyou for teaching me. I feel really confident about taking an actual exam in Latin next year.”

So, finally, we look forward to another successful year in 2008, with plenty of interest already. It only remains for me to thank once again all those who helped to make the summer school what it is.

Tim Wheeler
Director
JACT Latin Summer School