THE Mayor of London has backed Government plans to overhaul the way langauges are taught in schools, including a revival of Latin.

Boris Johnson yesterday welcomed the Government's announcement that it is revising guidance on language teaching.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb spoke of his support for Latin teaching at a Politeia event earlier this week and the plans are part of an education White Paper which would see Latin as one of the subjects that could go towards a new English Baccalaureate.

The Mayor is a firm advocate of the benefits of Latin teaching and has been lobbying hard for more state educated pupils to have the opportunity to study it.

Only two to four per cent of state primary schools teach Latin compared to 40 per cent of independent primary schools.

Mayor Johnson said: "This is the most fantastic news. Nick Gibb is absolutely right when he says Latin equips you to learn other languages, but it also equips you for modern life, honing one's intellectual acuity.

"Latin has been consigned to an arbitrarily enforced ghetto for far too long and I am delighted that proper recognition is again being given to this inspiring and valuable language.

"My office will be pleased to work closely with the government to raise the profile of Latin and enable more youngsters to be introduced to its delights and benefits."

In March, the Mayor wrote to Michael Gove - the then shadow education minister - about his concerns that Latin was not recognised as a language within the national curriculum and is developing a volunteering scheme to get classics graduates into state schools to give kids taster sessions in the subject.

Fifty schools have already said they are keen on getting involved and it is hoped the scheme will begin in the New Year.