We in the Classics world hope very much that Latin teaching will return to the maintained sector, but in the meantime, although there are a few state schools that still have the good sense to offer Latin, it is mainly the independent schools that are keeping the flame burning. It is therefore good news that the government threat to remove the charitable status of independent schools seems to have diminished. The Times reports:

'Many fee-paying schools had feared that the first major reform of charity law for 400 years might be used to please Labour activists opposed to their elite status, particularly with a general election so near. But in the event, all that private schools and hospitals will have to do is to undergo a “public benefit” test to prove that they serve the wider commun-ity if they want to retain charitable status, the Bill will say.The definition of “public benefit” will be left up to the Charity Commission — which has traditionally cast a benign eye over some of the country’s most elite institutions. The Independent Schools Council, representing 1,200 schools, last night described the Bill as “what we were hoping for”.'

One way that independent schools can establish their position as benefiting the public is by sharing facilities and expertise with local state schools. Latin teachers ought to be urging their heads to share Classics teaching with a state school. The long-delayed publication of the Cambridge Latin Course CD rom for book 1, to be followed quite quickly by book 2, could be an extra spur to action.

No one has yet entered for a free copy of the CD rom which we are offering - see the ARLT home page. May I remind Classics teachers that it is up to them to make this prize known to teachers in their nearest state school, or even Latin-less independent school. Please use this opportunity.