An experienced teacher and tutor of Classics

My name is Steve, and until 2026 I was Head of Classics at Sherborne School. I now teach privately from Dorset, online and in person.

Hadrian’s Wall running along the ridge — Hadrian’s Wall.

Mycenae, looking out over the plain — Mycenae.

My love of Classics and teaching

I work hard to ensure that my students enjoy studying Classics, and I am proud of my ability to challenge and inspire all of them, encouraging many to continue with a classical subject — be it Latin, Greek or Classical Civilisation — through to GCSE, A Level and university. I am well known for my infectious enthusiasm for the classical world and committed to inspiring young people. Over the years, lesson observations and appraisals have consistently highlighted the quality of my teaching, my enthusiasm and my ability to motivate pupils of all abilities. I believe strongly that Classics should be both rigorous and enjoyable, combining high academic expectations with a genuine sense of curiosity and discovery.

I love travelling in the ancient world. To stand in the places where history happened transforms understanding in a way that no textbook can fully replicate, and has a remarkable ability to bring texts to life. I have organised and led numerous trips to Greece, Italy, Sicily, Hadrian’s Wall and the Roman Baths, as well as running Classics societies, theatre visits, museum trips and lecture programmes.

How I teach

No two students learn Classics in quite the same way. Some need to consolidate their knowledge and build confidence; others are ready to be stretched well beyond the requirements of their course. Some thrive on translation and grammar, while others find translating challenging but excel when exploring literature, history, ideas and the wider ancient world. Equally, a student who is confident with the language may need more support in analysing an author’s style, language and literary technique. My approach begins with listening and getting to know each student: understanding their strengths, identifying what they need to work on, and finding the approaches that make them learn most effectively.

I want pupils not simply to get the right answer, but to understand why it is right. I believe in teaching with purpose. Lessons combine explanation, discussion and active practice, with regular retrieval and revisiting of material so that knowledge becomes secure. I set work between lessons and mark it carefully, allowing each session to build on the last and ensuring that progress is clear and measurable.

For students aiming high, consolidation is only the beginning. I believe in genuine stretch and challenge: tackling increasingly demanding language, exploring texts in greater depth, making connections across the classical world and developing the confidence to think independently. Where appropriate, I enjoy taking students beyond the immediate demands of an examination specification and towards the kind of questioning and analysis expected at university.

Above all, I want students to enjoy becoming better classicists. Rigour, ambition and enjoyment belong together, and the ancient world offers more than enough to make the effort worthwhile.

A street in Pompeii, with Vesuvius behind.

Steve Heath sitting on a tor on Dartmoor with a cup of coffee

Beyond the classroom

I am an experienced Sixth Form tutor, used to guiding students through UCAS and international university applications, including to Canada, the United States and Australia.

Outside of Classics tutoring, I am also a keen horticulturalist and garden designer.

Overall, I am passionate about making Latin, Greek and the classical world accessible and engaging, and I enjoy helping students build the confidence to pursue Classics at the highest level.