Decline and fall

SIR – As the head of classics at High Storrs School, the last remaining state comprehensive in Sheffield to offer Latin, it was with sadness but little surprise that I read of Richmond School’s decision to cease teaching the language (report, January 23).

Funding for state schools is now at such a low level that we are seeing a narrowing of the curriculum, made worse by the English Baccalaureate’s exclusion of classical civilisation from its suite of eligible subjects.

We have launched a campaign to raise funds to subsidise smaller teaching groups until our school can once again afford to teach them.

Britain outside London and the South East is in danger of losing touch with the hugely influential cultures and languages of the classical world. Gina Johnson

Sheffield, South Yorkshire