Classics For All

Charity Number: 1135379

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M
Geographic Focus: Northern Ireland, Scotland

Stay updated on changes from Classics For All and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Income: £686,620 (2024)
  • Annual Grantmaking: £162,360 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Applications reviewed termly
  • Grant Type: Free teacher training (valued £1,500-£3,000 per school)
  • Geographic Focus: UK state schools (national)
  • Total Impact: 1,200 schools, 5,300 teachers trained, 180,000+ pupils reached

Contact Details

Website: www.classicsforall.org.uk

Email: contact@classicsforall.org.uk

Phone: 020 7848 4741

Grant Enquiries: grants@classicsforall.org.uk

Application Deadlines:

  • Spring Term: December 1st
  • Easter Term: March 1st
  • Autumn Term: June 1st, June 15th, September 15th

Overview

Classics For All was established in 2010 to reverse the decline of classics in state sector education. Co-founded by Dr Peter Jones MBE and Jeannie Cohen, the charity has raised over £4.7 million to support the teaching of Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Civilisation, and Ancient History in UK state schools. Unlike traditional grant-makers, Classics For All operates primarily by funding teacher training directly rather than awarding cash grants to schools. Since inception, they have supported 1,200 primary and secondary schools—many in areas of socio-economic disadvantage—training over 5,300 teachers and benefiting more than 180,000 pupils aged 7-18. The charity has established 14 regional classics networks, largely based at Russell Group universities, offering ongoing mentoring and support. Over 40% of supported schools have above-national-average numbers of pupils eligible for Free School Meals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Classics For All does not provide traditional cash grants. Instead, they fund free teacher training directly, with all costs paid by the charity:

  • Primary School Support: 6 hours of training for teachers or extra-curricular club leaders
  • Key Stage 3 Support: 6 hours of training for non-specialist teachers to introduce classics
  • GCSE/A-Level Support: 6-12 hours of training for teachers preparing to teach examination-level courses
  • Continuing Professional Development: Additional training for teachers progressing in their courses or new staff

Typical Value: The cost to introduce classics in a school averages £3,000 (reaching approximately 60 pupils), equating to roughly £50 per pupil. Training for non-specialist secondary teachers to teach beginners' Latin is valued at approximately £1,500.

Delivery Method: Training can be online or in-person and must be completed within 12 months of accepting support.

Priority Areas

  • UK state primary and secondary schools seeking to introduce or develop classics teaching
  • Schools in areas of low social mobility and socio-economic disadvantage
  • Non-specialist teachers requiring training to deliver Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Civilisation, or Ancient History
  • Schools establishing extra-curricular classics clubs
  • Multi-academy trusts developing classics across their network
  • Schools building sustainable, long-term classics curriculum progression

What They Don't Fund

  • Independent/fee-paying schools: Support is exclusively for UK state schools
  • Large-scale purchase of textbooks or course materials: Applicants are directed to the Roman Society (www.romansociety.org) or Hellenic Society (www.hellenicsociety.org.uk) for such grants
  • Schools outside the UK
  • Individual students or tutoring services
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for Classics For All?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Jimmy Mulville (Chairman): Cambridge classics graduate and Managing Director of Hat Trick Productions. Quote: “Studying classics at Cambridge changed my life for the better.”

Nicholas Barber (Honorary President): Oxford classics graduate, former Chief Executive of Ocean Group, and trustee of the British Museum and Ashmolean Museum.

Geoffrey de Jager (Honorary President): Discovered Latin through his law degree; Life President of Oxford Philomusica.

Matthew Lindsey-Clark (Honorary Treasurer): Oxford classics graduate and Senior Managing Director at Evercore.

Marion Gibbs CBE: Classics teacher for 38 years and former head teacher in London.

Professor Judith Mossman: Professor Emerita of Classics at Coventry University, specializing in Greek literature.

Helen Geary: Oxford classics graduate and Director of Fundraising at Lichfield Cathedral.

Sonia Thompson: Headteacher at St Matthew's C.E. Primary School and published author on education.

Senior Staff

Jo Hobbs MBE (Chief Executive): Studied Latin and Classical Civilisation; brings nearly 20 years' experience as a senior manager and CEO in the charity sector, particularly in the voluntary youth sector.

Alice Case (Programme Director): Classics degree from Manchester University and Museum Studies MA; previously established and ran the Liverpool College Network for Classics For All in 2016.

Anna Bell (School Support Coordinator): Born in Greece, studied Greek and Latin at UCL with a Classics PGCE; 11 years' teaching experience in classics.

Advisers

Dr Peter Jones MBE (Co-founder): Driving force and advocate for teaching classics in state schools for over four decades; Cambridge classics graduate with doctorate on Homer.

Jeannie Cohen (Co-founder): Taught classics in both independent and state schools; former Executive Secretary of classical teaching associations.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Initial Research: Review the “Options and Advice” section and “Resources Hub” at classicsforall.org.uk
  2. Complete Initial Enquiry Form: Submit online form at https://classicsforall.tfaforms.net/5112742
  3. Specify Your Needs: Indicate subject areas (Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History), key stages, and whether for curriculum or extra-curricular delivery
  4. Training Allocation: If approved, the charity assigns a qualified trainer and covers all costs directly

Contact for Questions: grants@classicsforall.org.uk

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed termly with five annual deadlines:

  • December 1st (Spring Term)
  • March 1st (Easter Term)
  • June 1st (Autumn Term)
  • June 15th (Autumn Term)
  • September 15th (Autumn Term)

Specific decision timelines (from submission to notification) are not publicly disclosed. Schools should contact the charity for current processing times.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the charity has supported 1,200 schools since 2010, demonstrating substantial reach and accessibility.

Reapplication Policy

Highly Flexible: There is no limit on the number of grants schools may apply for. Schools are actively encouraged to reapply for:

  • Additional training for teachers progressing further in their courses
  • Training for new staff joining the school
  • Additional courses or new classical subjects
  • Unused training from previous grants that schools wish to continue

The application process remains the same—simply email grants@classicsforall.org.uk with updated information.

Application Success Factors

Direct Guidance from the Funder

Classics For All tailors support to each school's context and requirements. They emphasize that all support is free to UK state schools and that there is no cost barrier to accessing their training.

Projects They've Recently Funded

Examples of successful approaches include:

  • Liverpool Greek Academy: Offering Ancient Greek language and culture courses to students
  • Primary Schools: Building comprehensive classics programmes, learning Ancient Greek at Key Stage 2, enriching curriculum with “Maximum Classics,” adopting Latin as a school's main language
  • Secondary Schools: Introducing Ancient Greek at Key Stages 3-5, starting Latin programmes from scratch, developing classics in multi-academy trusts, creating extra-curricular classics clubs, developing long-term classics curriculum progression

Key Language and Terminology

  • “Sustainable classics teaching”
  • “Non-specialist teachers”
  • “Areas of socio-economic disadvantage”
  • “Low social mobility”
  • "Enriching students' understanding of the ancient world"
  • “Raising aspirations”
  • “Cultural awareness”

Evidence of Impact

90% of pupils surveyed by Classics For All reported that learning classics had a positive impact on their attainment, cultural awareness, and aspirations. A growing number of supported pupils are studying classics at examination level or university.

Tips for Standing Out

  1. Demonstrate commitment: Show how classics will be embedded sustainably in your curriculum or extra-curricular provision
  2. Highlight need: Articulate how your pupils—particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds—will benefit
  3. Be specific: Clearly identify which subjects you want to introduce (Latin, Ancient Greek, etc.) and at which key stages
  4. Show teacher engagement: Identify which staff members will undertake training and their commitment to delivering classics
  5. Think long-term: Outline plans for progression and expansion beyond initial training
  6. Connect to regional networks: Reference local classics networks if available in your area

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No cash grants: This funder provides free teacher training, not monetary grants to schools
  • Zero cost to schools: All training expenses are paid directly by Classics For All—schools pay nothing
  • State schools only: Independent/fee-paying schools are ineligible
  • Unlimited reapplication: Schools can apply multiple times without restriction
  • Strong social mission: The charity prioritizes schools serving disadvantaged communities
  • Flexible delivery: Training is tailored to each school's specific context and can be online or in-person
  • Long-term support: Schools can access additional training as they develop classics provision over time
  • Contact early: Reach out to grants@classicsforall.org.uk to discuss your school's situation before applying

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References