Staff profile

Arlene Holmes-Henderson is Professor of Classics Education and Public Policy at Durham University where she holds a British Academy Innovation Fellowship (2022-2024). After studying Classics at Oxford, Harvard and Cambridge, Arlene qualified as a schoolteacher and taught in high schools for more than a decade before returning to academia. Arlene has conducted international comparative research in the USA as a Fulbright Scholar, in Australia as a Churchill Fellow and in New Zealand as an Erskine Fellow.

She is Vice-Chair of the Universities Policy Engagement Network with national responsibility for Arts and Humanities and is an expert advisor to international governments, parliaments and assessment agencies. She leads several research projects at Durham including an interdisciplinary project with colleagues in Education, English and Psychology, 'Shy Bairns Get Nowt', which investigates the relationship between oracy, persuasion and employability. You can read more about this here.

Arlene was awarded an MBE for Services for Education by King Charles III in the Birthday Honours 2023.

For more information, see her website www.profarlenehh.com and follow her on twitter @profarlenehh.

 

Publications

Publications:

 

Holmes-Henderson, A., Martin, B. and A. Penn (forthcoming) ‘Classics in Ireland: an update from schools’ in Class and Classics, De Gruyter.

Holmes-Henderson, A., Hall, E. and J. Corke-Webster (under contract) Classical Civilisation and Ancient History in British secondary education, Liverpool University Press, Liverpool.

Holmes-Henderson, A. and Howard, K. (under contract), Reviving rhetoric across the curriculum, Routledge, London.

Holmes-Henderson, A. and Dixon, J. (under contract) Secondary Classics in Action, Hodder Education, London.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2023e) ‘Communicating the value of English Studies: an outsider’s perspective’, English Association Newsletter, Summer 2023.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2023d) ‘The pioneering academic who is making classics cool in schools’, AHRC blog, 1^st August 2023.

Holmes-Henderson (2023c) ‘Award-Winning Author Discusses the Importance of Studying Classics’, Routledge Blog, 18^th July 2023.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2023b) How the arts and humanities contribute to policy making – Policy Profession (civilservice.gov.uk). (read by up to 30,000 civil servants)

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2023) Expanding Classics: practitioner perspectives from museums and schools, Routledge, London.

Holmes-Henderson, A. and Wright, T. (2023) ‘What’s the evidence for a focus on Oracy?’, Times Educational Supplement (TES), 12^th July 2023. https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/general/evidence-focus-oracy-schools-education-research

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2022b) ‘Widening access to ancient cultures in museums and schools through partnership working’, National Centre for Academic and Culture Exchange Blog, 7^th November 2022. https://ncace.ac.uk/2022/11/07/widening-access-to-ancient-cultures-in-museums-and-schools-through-partnership-working/

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2022a) ‘Classics and educational policy – an update’ in C. Ryan (ed). Perspectives on Classics, CUCD Bulletin, 51, 20-23. https://cucd.blogs.sas.ac.uk/files/2022/09/Perspectives-on-Classics-2.pdf

Holmes-Henderson, A. and Kelly, K. (2022) Ancient Languages in Primary Schools in England: a Literature Review. Department for Education. His Majesty’s Government. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1120024/Ancient_languages_in_primary_schools_in_England_-_A_Literature_Review.pdf

Taylor, A., Holmes-Henderson, A. and S. Jones (2022) ‘Classics education in Northern Irish primary schools: curriculum policy and classroom practice’, Journal of Classics Teaching, 1-7.

Holmes-Henderson, A., Zmavc, J. and Kaldahl, A-G. (2022) ‘Oracy, rhetoric and citizenship: curricular innovations from Scotland, Slovenia and Norway’, Literacy, 56, 3, 253-263.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2022) ‘Jubilation, trepidation, exasperation: explaining academics’ reactions to contact from policy makers’, Policy Profession blog. (read by up to 30,000 civil servants)

Holmes-Henderson, A. and H. Jack (2022) ‘Academic-Policy collaboration with no fee: the benefits of knowledge exchange partnerships’, Policy Profession blog. (read by up to 30,000 civil servants)

Goff, B., Holmes-Henderson, A., Messenger, J. and A. Petsalis-Diomidis, (2021) ‘Inclusive Classics Initiative. Report on “Towards a More Inclusive Classics II” International Workshop organised by Professor Barbara Goff and Dr Alexia Petsalis-Diomidis, Council of University Classics Departments Bulletin, 50, 1-6.

Holmes-Henderson, A. and Watts, B. (2021) ‘What grades are needed to study Classical subjects at UK universities?’, Journal of Classics Teaching, 22, 43, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2058631021000210

Swallow, P. and Holmes-Henderson, A. (2021) ‘Working towards fairer access to Classical subjects in schools: the Advocating Classics Education (ACE) project’, Council of University Classics Departments Equality Diversity and Inclusion Blog, 24th May 2021. https://cucdedi.wordpress.com/2021/05/24/working-towards-fairer-access-to-classical-subjects-in-schools-the-advocating-classics-education-ace-project/

Holmes-Henderson, A. and Kelly, K. (2021b) ‘Classical connections: enriching English teaching with help from the Greeks and Romans’, Litdrive blog, 2nd May 2021. https://litdrive.org.uk/classical-connections-enriching-english-teaching-with-help-from-the-greeks-and-romans

Holmes-Henderson, A. and Kelly, K. (2021a) ‘Ancient and modern languages in primary schools’, Oxford Humanities blog, 21^st April 2021. https://www.humanities.ox.ac.uk/article/ancient-and-modern-languages-in-primary-schools#/ and https://www.thefutureoflanguages.org/blog/acientandmodernlangsinprimary

Hunt, S. and Holmes-Henderson, A. (2021) ‘A level Classics poverty. Classical subjects in schools in England: access, attainment and progression’, CUCD Bulletin, 50, 1-26. https://cucd.blogs.sas.ac.uk/files/2021/02/Holmes-Henderson-and-Hunt-Classics-Poverty.docx.pdf

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2021d) ‘Classical subjects in English schools: Confronting inequalities of access’, British Educational Research Association blog, 14 July 2021. https://www.bera.ac.uk/blog/classical-subjects-in-english-schools-confronting-inequalities-of-access

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2021c) ‘Primary Greek’, ARGO, 13, 40-42.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2021b) ‘Developing multiliteracies through Classical mythology in British classrooms’, in L. Maurice (ed.) Our Mythical Education: The Reception of the Classical World in Formal Education 1900-2020, University of Warsaw Press, 139-154. https://www.wuw.pl/product-pol-14887-Our-Mythical-Education-The-Reception-of-Classical-Myth-Worldwide-in-Formal-Education-1900-2020-PDF.html

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2021a) Engaging with policymakers as a researcher in the Arts and Humanities: a guide to how, what and why, Universities Policy Engagement Network Blog. https://www.upen.ac.uk/blogs/?action=story&id=172

Holmes-Henderson, A. and M. Musié (2020d) ‘Staging the Archive: Classics in Communities’, The Archive for the Performance of Greek and Roman Drama podcast, Oxford. http://www.apgrd.ox.ac.uk/digital-resources/podcast/episode-7

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2020c) ‘Surviving the infodemic – teaching students to read between the lines’, Winston Churchill Memorial Trust blog, 13th October 2020. https://www.wcmt.org.uk/about-us/blog/blog-surviving-infodemic-teaching-students-read-between-lines

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2020b) ‘Teaching critical literacy in schools: a research-informed approach’ in C. Coyle (ed.) Identifying Fake News: critical literacy and the school library, School Library Association, Swindon.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2020a) ‘What’s it like training in England but teaching in Scotland?’, Quinquennium, 8 January 2020. https://www.quinquennium.com/whats-it-like-training-in-england-but-teaching-in-scotland/

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2019b) ‘Book review: The Six Secrets of Intelligence’, Times Educational Supplement, 29th September 2019. https://www.tes.com/news/book-review-six-secrets-intelligence

White, B. and Holmes-Henderson, A. (2019a) ‘Latin Lovers’, Blueprint, Trinity Term 2019, 7.

Holmes-Henderson, A., Hunt, S. and Musié, M. (eds.) (2018) Forward with Classics. Classical languages in schools and communities, Bloomsbury academic, London. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forward-Classics-Classical-Languages-Communities/dp/1474295959

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2018c) ‘Oxford-Africa Classics Research Collaboration’, Oxford University Faculty of Classics Blog 19th July 2018. https://www.classics.ox.ac.uk/article/oxford-africa-classics-research-collaboration

Holmes-Henderson, A. and Tempest, K. (2018) ‘Classics and twenty-first-century skills’ in A. Holmes-Henderson, S. Hunt and M. Musié (eds.) Forward with Classics. Classical languages in schools and communities, Bloomsbury academic, London.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2018b) ‘A winning formula: Classical rhetoric for oracy education’, Teaching Citizenship, 42.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2018a) ‘Artistic licence: how learning Latin could change your life’, University of Oxford Arts Blog 31st January 2018. http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/arts-blog/artistic-licence-how-learning-latin-could-change-your-life and The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities Blog 16th February 2018. https://www.torch.ox.ac.uk/article/how-learning-latin-could-change-your-life

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2017d) ‘Classics in communities resources for “non-specialist” teachers of Latin and/or Ancient Greek’, Classical Association Blog, 21st November 2017. http://theclassicalassociation.blogspot.com/2017/11/classics-in-communities-resources-for.html

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2017c) ‘Classical subjects in schools: a comparative study of New Zealand and the United Kingdom‘ in D. Burton, S. Perris and J. Tatum (eds.), Athens to Aotearoa: Greece and Rome in New Zealand Literature and Society, Victoria University Wellington Press, 326-346. http://vup.victoria.ac.nz/athens-to-aotearoa-greece-and-rome-in-new-zealand-literature-and-society/

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2017b) ‘Advocating Classics Education’, Omnibus, 72, 4.

Hall, E. and Holmes-Henderson, A. (2017a) ‘Advocating Classics Education: a new national project’, Journal of Classics Teaching, Vol. 18, 36, 25-28. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2058631017000198

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2016d) ‘Bringing Cambridge IGCSE Latin to life in Rome’, Cambridge Outlook, 23, 24.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2016c) ‘Growing Greek in Schools: from gorillas to talking vases’, ARGO, 4, 16-17. http://www.drarlenehh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Argo-Gorilla-Greek.pdf

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2016b) ‘Teaching Latin and Greek in primary classrooms: the Classics in Communities Project’, Journal of Classics Teaching, Vol. 17, 33, 50-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S2058631016000131

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2016a) ‘Responsible citizenship and critical skills in Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence: the contribution of Classical rhetoric to democratic deliberation’, in P.Carr, P.Thomas, B. Porfilio and J. Gorlewski (eds.), Democracy and decency: what does education have to do with it?‘, Information Age Publishers, 213-228.

‘Holmes-Henderson, A. and Mitropoulos, A. (2016) ‘A celebration of Greek language and culture education in the UK’, Journal of Classics Teaching, Vol. 17, 34, 55-57. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2058631016000258

Holmes-Henderson , A. (2015) ‘The Classics in Communities project’, Oxford University Faculty of Classics newsletter, 6. http://www.classics.ox.ac.uk/tl_files/Downloads/Newsletter2015.pdf

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2014b) Reading between the lines: improving the UK’s critical literacy education, Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, https://www.wcmt.org.uk/fellows/reports/reading-between-lines-improving-uks-critical-literacy-education which informed the National Literacy Trust/APPG Literacy’s Parliamentary Commission Report on Critical Media Literacy and Fake News (2018) https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/fake-news-and-critical-literacy-final-report/.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2014a) ‘Classical pedagogy: a postcard from Hawaii’, Cloelia, 4, 54.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2012) ‘Classics Teachers on Tour’, Journal of Classics Teaching, Vol. 26, 32-33.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2009a) ‘Learning to love Latin the modern way’, Private Schools Revealed , 19th June 2009, 8-14.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2009b) ‘Passport to a world of opportunity – now you’re talking’, The Scotsman newspaper, 29^th September 2009.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2009c) ‘Amamus Latin’, Secondary Headship, 2^nd November 2009, 11-17.

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2008) ‘Gifted Girls and Groovy Greek’, Journal of Classics Teaching, Vol. 14, 4-6. http://www.drarlenehh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Holmes-Henderson-A.-_2008_.-Gifted-girls-and-groovy-Greek.-JCT-14-4-6..pdf

Holmes-Henderson, A. (2007) ‘Skill to do comes of doing: Surviving the Cambridge Classics PGCE 2005-2006’, Journal of Classics Teaching, Vol. 10, 6-8.

• Classics Education
• Education Policy (Arts and Humanities)
• Classics and employability
• Rhetoric, oracy and critical skills
• Access to classical studies in schools and communities
• Academic-Museum education partnerships

• 2022: Arts and Humanities Research Council: Member of Peer Review College
• 2022: British Council Language Trends Advisory Group: Representative for Ancient Languages
• 2021: Arts and Humanities Research Council: Member of Public Policy Advisory Board
• 2021: British Academy Languages Advisory Group: Representative for Languages
• 2021: Classics Development Group: Chair of this national strategic group which brings together 15 professional organisations and learned societies to discuss discipline-wide issues.
• 2020: British Academy National Strategic Committee for Languages: Representative for Classics
• 2020: Trustee of The Classical Association: Outreach Office, Council Member and Vice Chair of The Classical Association Teaching Board
• 2018: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies: Member of the Roman Studies Committee
• 2016: British Curriculum Forum: Member of Steering Group, a sub-committee of the British Educational Research Association
• 2015: US-UK Fulbright Commission: Elected Member of Fulbright Alumni Council

Available for media contact about:

• Classics and Ancient History:
• Ancient literature:
• Ancient philosophy:
• Classics:
• Greek history and philosophy:
• Latin:
• Roman history:
• General policy:
• Subject specialists:
• Museums:
• Roman, Greek & ancient civilisations:

Journal Article

• Taylor, Amber, Holmes-Henderson, Arlene & Jones, Sharon (2023). Classics education in Northern Irish primary schools; curriculum policy and classroom practice. Journal of Classics Teaching 24(47): 52-58.