I WAS pleased to read in the Journal that Latin is again being offered to pupils at Prince Henry's even if only as an after-school activity.

I attended PHGS from 1966-1973 and, benefiting greatly from being taught to A level by Mr A J Eden, I went on to take a degree in Latin and German.

It was certainly an unfortunate decision to remove the subject from this fine school's curriculum as, apart from being well worth studying per se, it aids the understanding of modern languages and, as the English teacher obviously acknowledges, spelling and the basic rules of English grammar.

It is unfortunate that often now the teaching of Latin on an ad hoc basis is left to enthusiastic teachers who once in the (usually distant) past gained an O level in it.

No-one would suggest that the teaching of, for instance, Chemistry would be taught thus.

I am now teaching Latin in a Birmingham school and am pleased to say that over half of the Year 11 pupils are studying either Latin or Classical Civilisation - the majority Latin.

If the year 9 pupils at PHHS remain enthusiastic, can we dare hope that the headmaster will consider returning the subject to the academic timetable?

MISS GILLIAN W SMITH, Brecon Road, Handsworth, Birmingham.