OVs Engage at Inaugural Classics Conference

On Friday 12^th September 2025, nine OVs returned to King’s to visit the Classics Department for the inaugural Classics Conference, organised by Emma Kate Booth (Hon OV). Climbing the familiar stairs of Edgar Tower, they each gave a presentation to our current Fifth and Sixth Form Latin and Classics students.

Eric Dykes (Cl 18-25) and Amy Smithson (W 13-25 and Old St Alban’s) reflected on their recent A-level experience and how they both benefitted from studying Latin and Classics. Eric is off to Cambridge to read Linguistics and Amy is about to embark on her Ancient History and Archaeology degree at Durham.

Amy Hall (W 16-23 and Old Hawfordian), Helena Shute (Cl 16-23) and Emilia Downing (Ch 17-24 and Old St Alban’s) all spoke about their university experiences thus far. Helena advised our pupils on how to balance studying a Joint Honours Degree and the benefits it brings. Emilia shared her experiences having just finished her first year of her Classical Studies degree at Nottingham and gave a fascinating insight into the lives of Athenian women. Amy, at the other end of her university journey, talked about her experience studying at Exeter and her upcoming dissertation research.

Both Bronnie Edwards (Os 13-20) and Bella Fielden (Br 14-21) have completed their undergraduate degrees and are about to pursue further academia with postgraduate study. Bronnie spoke with passion about Egyptology and how it is not just “all pyramids and dead people”, advocating why she thinks it should be studied within every Classics degree. She is furthering her knowledge with a Master’s in Egyptology at Oxford. Bella’s English and Classics degree at Exeter has led to many exciting opportunities with the most recent being a Master’s in International Business in Belfast. Both Bella and Helena’s experiences demonstrate how Classics lends itself well to study alongside other disciplines.

Lara Drew (K 09-16 and Old St Alban’s) and Rob Newman (Cr 14-21 and Old Hawfordian) spoke about their careers after their classical degrees. Lara has worked in both numismatics and the Royal Collection, working at Buckingham Palace now, and Rob is a Specification Manager in retail, designing shops and hotels. Both reflected that all of this would not have been possible for them, had it not been for the transferable skills a Classics-related degree provides you. In Rob’s words, “with an Ancient History degree, anything is possible!”

Not only was it a truly inspiring afternoon, but it was a brilliant opportunity to get like-minded people in one room and discuss what we all love: the ancient world. Emma Kate Booth (Hon OV) who organised the inaugural Classics Conference, added, “I hope this is the first of many such events and, I have no doubt, our students benefitted from the fascinating and varied experiences of our wonderful OVs.”

OVs attending are seen here with Head of Classics, Sarah Bradley (Hon OV), and Emma Kate Booth (Hon OV):