Whether they are laying foundations or reforming an older institution, headmasters face a cultural challenge. How can they foster a lively school environment in which classical learning is celebrated, valued, and practised by teachers and families alike?
Classical education is a refreshing alternative to today’s failing school systems. But as liberating a goal as it is, it is also a lofty one. How might we start building a culture of classical learning right where we are?
Two of the fundamental purposes of education are the formation of intellect and the formation of character. We often forget an essential third reason for educating: the transmission of knowledge and culture from one generation to the next.
Classical education has a rich history in the United Kingdom. Distinct in content and methods from the educational orthodoxies dominant today, it was by the end of the last century on the verge of extinction. Now, however, it is at the centre of a spirited worldwide revival.