Reaction from schools: 'Minimus' quotes...

‘We are keen to introduce Latin into our timetable, having identified ‘Minimus’ as the resource that would be most appropriate to our needs.’

(Laxton Junior School, Oundle, Peterborough)


‘There is so much interest and enthusiasm in our Latin Club that I can make a strong case for introducing Latin to the Literacy Hour.’

(Paul Hillman:Tunbury Primary School, Chatham, Kent)


‘Thank you so much for the grant. The children are absolutely delighted that their Latin club is able to continue and they are full of ideas!’

(Mrs Sue Burt (Deputy Head): Elson Junior School, Gosport)


‘We love our Latin Club. Ws have 12 keen young ladies whose enthusiasm more than compensates for their ability at the moment. There was great jubilation in the staff room today when the cheque arrived.’

(The staff: Susan (Agrippina) and Carol (Diana):Harvington School, LONDON)


‘The Latin Club is well attended with 16 children turning up regularly for extra stimulation. This is a deprived school but I am constantly impressed by their quickness and enthusiasm.’

(Head of Classics: Withington Girls’ School, Manchester: Her 6th form classicists go into nearby Old Moat Primary School)


‘So far we teach 60 pupils for Latin and their interest has been immense. We have made it part of their ‘Excellence and Enjoyment’ afternoon.’

(Harton Junior School, South Shields)



‘The Head has been very enthusiastic about the PLP project and is hoping to sit in the class so she can learn Latin herself.’

(Auchencairn School, Castle Douglas, Galloway)



‘The children are thoroughly enjoying their lessons and are also benefiting from their interaction with the children from St Martin’s Primary School and the two tutors from the Grammar school.’

(Helen Ward (Deputy Head): Vale View Community Primary and Nursery School, Dover, Kent)



‘Dorothy Allen, who will teach the course, is planning to dress up as a large grey mouse for the first class!’

(Fr. Michael Brown (Head): St Mary’s R.C. Presbytery School, Forest Hall, London, NE12 7AB)


‘The Latin Club is still going well and has now been extended to a second group of children. ‘Minimus Secundus’ is needed for the original group, so your grant will help us to buy this.’

(C.A. McMahon (Head): Holy Family School, Welwyn Garden City. Herts.)

British Museum Day cancelled - eheu!

Eheu! The projected Minimus Day at the British Museum, planned for June this year, has been cancelled. We are very sad about it, but hope to come up with a different plan at our May meeting. All bookings have been refunded. 

A message from Minimus

salvete omnes!

It’s time to get creative for our annual Mythology Competition!  You can make a painting, drawing, collage, piece of craftwork, write a poem or a play or record a DVD of your play on the topic of either Perseus and Medusa or Pegasus.

Download the information sheet and entry instructions here, or email the organiser, Linda Soames, at lindasoames@home.3b.co.uk for further details.

NB The closing date is MONDAY 2^nd MAY so get cracking now!

Minimus is really looking forward to seeing all your ideas!

Latest news from Barbara...

January 2016:

Helen Forte and I were delighted to receive our copies of the Portuguese version of Minimus.  This is a translation for those in Brazil and it is thrilling to think of children in Rio enjoying the same stories about Vindolanda and its family.

February 2016:

I was invited to speak at a conference for Welsh Classics Teachers in Swansea organised by Evelien Bracke.  Anna Donnelly, who runs the Solihull Project, and Jayne Treasure, a Minimus Trainer, also spoke about their work with Minimus, so the mouse had a good airing on the programme!  Exciting things are happening in Wales and we are following the spread of Classics there with interest.

On 26th February I was invited back to work with Classics students at Birmingham University by Elena Theodorakopolous , they were an enthusiastic bunch and it was fun exploring ways in which they might use Minimus in the future.  Some of them are certainly considering going into teaching.

Barbara Bell

Book up for the BM Day!

There are only a few weeks left to book for the British Museum Minimus Day!
Click here for more information, and here for the booking form.

I hope to see you there!

Website housekeeping

We have tidied up a few loose ends on the website recently. The set of schemes of work devised by Sara Wilkinson have their own page, here. The site map has been reorganised as well, and the inset page reflects the new pattern of training that has replaced the old training days.

British Museum Day

We're taking bookings for the 2016 British Museum Day! It's on Saturday 18th June, and is suitable for children in years 4 to 8. There are two sessions, morning or afternoon, which cost £10 per pupil. For more info email pam@nethaus.co.uk 

Download form here