In a move that has sent shockwaves through many state schools across England, the Labour government has culled the highly praised Latin Excellence Programme (LEP) mid-academic year, leaving thousands of pupils and teachers facing “significant disruption.”
The programme, successfully launched by the Conservative’s Former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, aimed to democratise access to Latin, a subject often dismissed as “elitist.”
It brought classical studies to over 40 state schools, largely in economically deprived areas, and reached over 5,000 pupils—one-third of whom are eligible for free school meals.
However, in an abrupt decision, the Department for Education (DfE) under Labour has announced the scheme will end in February, with funding terminated from March 1. Schools have been left scrambling to mitigate the fallout, as the programme supported teacher salaries, created training resources, and funded educational trips to Roman heritage sites and Rome itself.
A Programme Cut Short
The £4 million initiative, originally set to run until 2026, was hailed a huge success by Future Academies, the multi-academy trust leading the scheme. Its CEO, Lawrence Foley, described the decision by the Labour government as “incredibly difficult” for schools and pupils.
He said: “We will be engaging with the DFE in the coming days and weeks to ask them to reconsider what we perceive to be a short-sighted decision that suggests either our risk assessment has not been read and shared with ministers, or that the department feels comfortable with the ramifications of this decision.”
Nicole James, whose daughter was due to go take her latin GCSE next year told the Conservative Post:
“I studied Latin when I was at school, which later paved the way for me to study French and Italian at university. Having a foundation in Latin helped me enormously. I’m deeply upset that my daughter, Emily, may now miss the chance to take her Latin GCSE next year. She already has a natural talent for languages, and I know from experience just how invaluable Latin can be for a career in linguistics.”
Another parent on social media said: “I understand Latin isn’t for everyone, but my son really enjoys it. Now we have this Labour government potentially robbing him of a future place at university. Will studying the classics at university now be reserved only for private school pupils?”
“I personally think this reveals Labour’s disdain for the classics and deepens the divide between private and state school education. It’s not fair on my child and those like him.”
Prejudice Against Latin?
Indeed, the LEP was created by the Conservative government to open up a subject traditionally seen as the preserve of private schools. When it was launched, Latin was taught in just 2.7% of state schools compared to 49% of private schools. Gavin Williamson, the programme’s architect, called it a way to break down barriers to opportunity.
“Latin has a reputation as being elitist and reserved for the privileged few,” Williamson said in 2021. “But it can bring so many benefits to young people.”
For thousands of pupils, those benefits are now in jeopardy. Nearly 1,000 pupils at 29 schools were due to take Latin at GCSE, while thousands more were studying the subject at Key Stage 3. Without the LEP, access to classics at university is likely to dwindle for state-educated pupils, critics warn.
A Divisive Decision
In a letter to schools, the DfE acknowledged the disruption but defended its decision as necessary due to the “fiscal situation the new government inherited.”
However, Future Academies has highlighted that terminating the programme mid-year places an unfair burden on schools already stretched thin by rising costs. Many state schools are also being forced to accommodate pupils leaving private education due to Labour’s decision to impose VAT on school fees. Additionally, educational trips planned for later this year are now “likely to be unfunded,” and teacher salaries previously supported by the programme will no longer be covered.
The Broader Impact
Critics argue the decision is emblematic of Labour’s priorities. By ending the scheme, Labour risks further entrenching the divide between private and state education. Private school pupils will continue to enjoy access to classical studies, while state school pupils lose out.
“This isn’t just a financial decision—it’s a cultural one,” said one education expert. “Labour’s move effectively restricts the study of classics to the privileged, undoing years of progress in breaking down educational barriers.”
A Depressing State of Affairs
For many, the decision represents yet another misstep by a government accused of failing to support education. With the axe falling on the LEP, thousands of pupils are left in the lurch, their futures disrupted, and their opportunities curtailed.
As one parent on social media put it: “This decision will have ramifications far beyond the classroom. And for those who believe in the power of education to change lives, Labour’s decision to cut the LEP mid-year feels like a betrayal of the very principles the party claims to stand for. Once again Labour are being proven as liars and hypocrites.”
For now, it seems the classics may once again be reserved for the elite—a depressing turn of events from a Labour government many already see as hopelessly out of touch.
