The event brought together over 200 students and staff from schools across England, all united by a shared interest in the ancient world.

Throughout the day, pupils enjoyed lectures from five distinguished academics from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge: Professor Llewelyn Morgan, Dr Gail Trimble, Professor Caroline Vout, Dr Rosanna Omitowoju, and Professor Andrew Wallace-Hadrill. Their specialisms ranged from Greek and Latin literature to Classical art and archaeology, providing pupils with a diverse and enriching insight into the world of the ancients.

Lecture titles included:

• Catullus: love, hate and poetry

• The Fasti and the Metamorphoses: similarities, differences and what they tell us about Ovid

• Seeing the gods in Greece and Rome

• Read for your life! Greek literature, women, identity and influence without the toxicity

• Escape from Vesuvius: new evidence from Pompeii and Herculaneum

After each lecture, pupils had the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers, asking thought-provoking questions and honing both their critical thinking and public speaking skills.

The conference was closed by Mrs Jo Duncan, Headmistress of Wycombe Abbey, who reflected on the importance of fostering a love of the Classics in today’s world.

Eleanor Ashby-Halstead, Head of Classics at St Gabriel’s, said:
“This was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to extend their knowledge beyond the classroom and to hear directly from some of the leading voices in the field. The lectures were inspiring, the discussions stimulating, and it was wonderful to see our pupils engaging so confidently with complex ideas. Experiences like this not only deepen their understanding of the ancient world but also strengthen transferable skills such as analysis, communication, and debate.”