Classics Department

Key Stage 3

In year 7 all pupils follow an introductory Latin course for one period a week. Classical Civilisation is studied through Drama for a second period each week, based on Greek theatre in one term, episodes from Homer's Odyssey and Iliad in term two, and Ovid and Mythology in term three.

Year 8 and 9 pupils who are in set one for English automatically study Latin and benefit from the awareness of vocabulary and understanding of language which a Latin course provides. Those who are not in set one are invited to attend one lunchtime class a week, then to follow an online course on Latin Language and Roman Civilisation, which leads to WJEC exams at various levels. If pursued until year 10 or 11, the exam is a GCSE equivalent, gaining the same performance points as the Latin GCSE. There is the flexibility for pupils to move to the traditional GCSE in year 10 if they prefer.

In all years except 7 and 8, Latin is taught through the Oxford Latin Course, which is modern and up-to-date, but still maintains the linguistic rigour of more traditional courses.

Key Stage 4

Year 10 and 11 pupils can choose to study the subject for GCSE and can then continue to A Level in the Sixth Form if they wish.

Key Stage 5

There are various options available in the Sixth Form:

• A Level Latin (a more advanced study of language and literature)
• A Level Classical Civilisation. This is the study of the society, history and literature (in English translation) of Rome and Ancient Greece, but not the languages themselves. This subject can be taken ‘from scratch’ and may be particularly interesting to those who have followed the WJEC course.
• A Level Classics (a combination of units of A Level Latin and of A Level Classical Civilisation).  A unit of Ancient History is also offered.
• Beginners’ Greek
• The Classics Department also offers GCSE and AS Italian, which is particularly suitable for those who have previously studied Latin and others who can cope with GCSE in one year.