Classical Conversations and school talks

Arrange a real or virtual discussion or mini-lecture for your school.

The Classics outreach team at Oxford welcomes requests from schools either for Classical Conversations, a very successful new initiative running from 2021, or for the more traditional format of a talk or mini-lecture.

In a Classical Conversation, an Oxford academic will meet teachers and students for up to 40 minutes to discuss an aspect of the ancient world, answering (and perhaps asking!) questions on the topic. In a talk, an Oxford academic will give a mini-lecture with a Q&A session afterwards.

Both Classical Conversations and school talks are available either online or (where appropriate) in person.

We are pleased to offer up to TWO Classical Conversations or talks per school per academic year. Preference will be given to state-maintained schools, and fee-paying schools are strongly encouraged to invite local schools from the maintained sector to participate in the event.

Please note that we can only offer Classical Conversations and school talks for schools in the UK.

Teachers in UK schools - please complete the form at least 14 days before you want the event to take place.

Open Form

This offering of Classical Conversations and school talks is an outreach and access initiative through which members of the Faculty of Classics hope to participate in knowledge exchange with teachers and students. Priority will be given to schools in the maintained sector which have not previously engaged with outreach initiatives offered by Oxford Classics, and fee-paying schools are strongly encouraged to invite local schools from the maintained sector to participate in the event.

Classical Conversations and school talks are entirely free, whether they take place online or in person. Participants will be asked to complete and return a short questionnaire.

Social media

We encourage you to spread the word about your Classical Conversation or talk. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and tag @OxfordClassics with #OxfordClassicalConversation if you have enjoyed a Classical Conversation.

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