Classics for All Award

Ysgol Aberconwy is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Welsh Regional Impact Award, a prestigious recognition from Classics for All. This accolade is a result of the school’s dedicated commitment to teaching Ancient History at both the GCSE and A Level, a significant achievement given that it stands as one of the very few schools in Wales offering these courses.

The nomination for this award came from Alice Case, the Welsh co-ordinator for Classics for All, who highlighted the schools remarkable dedication and progress observed in the subject area. Classics for All have supported Ysgol Aberconwy, and particularly Mr. Jolliffe, in successfully setting up the Ancient History courses over the last few years, providing training and financial support.

Mr. Jolliffe, who has played an instrumental role in establishing and nurturing the Ancient History program at Ysgol Aberconwy, initially pursued his fascination with Classics during his own school years. His academic journey led him to study Classical Civilization at GCSE and A Level before embarking on a university course in Ancient History. His passion has since transformed into a mission: to ignite the same enthusiasm in his students. Mr Jolliffe’s dedication to engaging his students goes beyond the classroom, he actively seeks out university days and various opportunities to broaden their understanding and appreciation of the ancient world.

Reflecting on the award, Mr. Jolliffe expressed his gratitude: “I’m incredibly proud to be receiving the award on behalf of Ysgol Aberconwy. Teaching Ancient History over the last few years has been a joy, it’s a subject that I am passionate about and I have been incredibly grateful to the school and Mr Gerrard for the opportunity to bring the subject to life in the classroom. The student feedback has been brilliant, with some even planning on applying for Ancient History courses at degree level in the future. Although there are so many similarities with modern history, exploring the Ancient world is engaging and different in it’s own ways with fantastical stories and characters that have really engaged our students and brought a different world to life for them.”

As we celebrate this achievement, both Mr. Jolliffe and the school community look forward to continuing their exploration of the timeless wisdom of the ancients—ensuring that such knowledge remains alive and accessible for generations to come.