The Iris Project - The Oxford Greek Project

The Oxford Greek Project

A new project was launched in Autumn 2010, which involves teaching ancient Greek in east Oxford primary schools during the academic year to see if this will enhance and enrich the children’s learning of English and other connected subjects in year six. Project leader Lorna Robinson stated that learning ancient Greek as part of the English KS2 curriculum would provide a fascinating basis for grasping the complexities of English grammar; and that it would also provide a fascinating framework within which to locate English learning, introducing them to an hugely influential culture and explaining how this culture and its language has shaped English and English cultural norms.

The lessons, which are freely available on The Iris Project website for schools to use, connect with other aspects of the school curriculum, from history and geography, through to science and maths, and also drama, art and sport. The curriculum includes introductions to ancient Greek philosophy, theatre, democracy, sport and more. Sessions have also included an artefact session, where pupils have had the opportunity to handle copies of ancient Greek objects and to explore what information they give about ancient Greek society.