"Weeny, weedy, weaky," as 1066 And All That translates. Good news about the scrapping of Ancient History A-Level - it's not going to happen. From the BBC:

Ancient history A-level is to be saved from the scrapheap after a high-profile campaign calling for it to continue.

The last exam board in England to offer the subject, OCR, has decided not to abandon the course after pressure from ministers and academics.

Classicists, including shadow education minister Boris Johnson, argued pupils would be denied the chance to study the Roman Empire and ancient Greece.

OCR said it was responding to demands from teachers and academics...

Mr Johnson, who had argued the subject covered events that were critical in shaping our civilisation, said he was delighted with the news.

"We need a proper ancient history A-level, as well as proper A-levels in Latin and Greek, not a pic-n-mix mish-mash which will inevitably weaken the study of classics.

"Today's announcement is a triumph. Veni, vidi, vici."

Thanks to any NER readers who signed this petition, and to friends and colleagues who cared enough about the past - and the future - to protest.

Don't ever give up. Sometimes - not often enough, but sometimes - they will listen.