Latin / Classics

Overview

Students who study Latin and Classics develop an appreciation of how the ancient world impacts the modern one through language and culture, whilst also examining the differences between Rome, Greece, and the modern world. Students explore broad themes around the concept of what makes the ancient Romans and Greeks who they were, for example, their religion, literature, heroes, governments, and leaders in places such as Pompeii, Alexandria, and Rome. They approach these themes through the analysis of a variety of ancient sources and by applying transferrable academic skills to challenging material.

Exploration of ancient culture is intertwined with Latin language at Key Stage 3 and for those who elect to continue. This is achieved through the study of Latin stories about people living in antiquity and set texts at GCSE and A Level Latin. Students learn Latin using a reading course in which they are routinely challenged to identify new aspects of language themselves. Students are encouraged to approach the stories as puzzles to be solved, developing their logic and problem-solving skills. In this way, students also deepen their understanding of the English language and foster more precise grammatical awareness allowing them to translate simple and complex sentences and therefore complete comprehension tasks. They will also develop their vocabulary in English through their exploration of etymological links between Latin and English. To achieve our linguistic aims, students will learn Latin vocabulary, English derivations (especially those of a more sophisticated level), and several key areas of grammar. This prepares students to read and analyse classical literature in both Latin and English. This facilitates a deep level of understanding of ancient culture and consider how these literary works are foundational for the great works of the modern age.

In Classical Civilisation, whilst focusing upon texts in translation, students apply greater focus to broader source analysis. Applying critical thinking skills to discover what sources can and cannot bring to light about antiquity, they analyse both literary and material sources, including artwork, architecture, and archaeological remains. They are challenged to try and understand the sources within their cultural context and from different perspectives.

In both subject areas we seek to encourage cultural sensitivity in our students so they can begin to understand the diverse world we live in through important themes such as gender and identity. Through the exploration of important themes, students are encouraged to explore their own values and attitudes. We aim to cultivate open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity by promoting that there is much to be learned and appreciated from societies different to our own.

Year 7

Latin

In Year 7 students study Stage 1-7 of the Cambridge Latin Course. This will give them an understanding of basic Latin grammar including simple sentence structure, nominative and accusative cases, and 1st, 2nd singular and 3rd person singular and plural verbs in the present, perfect, and imperfect tenses.

They will also explore the daily lives and culture of the ancient Pompeiians, including taking part in a Roman Feast and creating theatre masks.

Year 8

Latin

In Year 8, students study Stages 8-12 of the Cambridge Latin Course. They build on their language skills from Year 7 by also studying accusative plural nouns, 2nd and 3rd person plural verbs in present, perfect, and imperfect tenses, comparative and superlative adjectives, and questions.

They also continue to study aspects of ancient Roman culture, including gladiators, education, and the Roman baths. They will also study the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii, examining the impacts on the ancient city and the archaeological site.

Year 9

Latin

In Year 9 students study stages 13-18 of the Cambridge Latin course. They cover more complex aspects of Latin grammar including the pluperfect tense, modal verbs and infinitives, adjectival agreement, impersonal phrases, and the genitive case.

The cultural aspect of the course now turns to other parts of the Roman Empire, including study of Boudica in Roman Britain and Alexandria in ancient Egypt.

Year 10

Latin

In Year 10, students begin their preparations for their OCR GCSE Latin examinations. We continue to intertwine cultural and contextual study with linguistic. This involves studying stories from the Cambridge Latin Course from Stage 19 onwards, covering all aspects of grammar required for the GCSE. Students also learn key vocabulary and English derivations through weekly testing. The last part of the year is focused upon studying the cultural context, translation, and literary analysis of the prose set text.

Classical Civilisation

In Year 10, students cover the first half of the OCR GCSE course. In the Myth and Religion unit of the course, we use a range of source material to infer the beliefs and values of ancient Greeks and Romans. We study key cultural landmarks from the ancient world including the Parthenon in Athens, the Pantheon in Rome, and ancient Olympia. This unit incorporates topics such as, gods, heroes, temples, festivals, sacrifice, and many more.

Year 11

Latin

Year 11 begins with grammar consolidation and revision whilst continuing weekly vocabulary testing. We then study the remaining part of the prose set text and the verse set text, both as works of literature and in their cultural context, leaving time at the end of the year for revision of the OCR GCSE.

Classical Civilisation

In Year 11 Students cover the War and Warfare topic of the OCR GCSE. This unit familiarises students with key works from the western literary canon including Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid. We examine these sources, alongside archaeological remains, to gain a greater understanding of ancient attitudes to and experiences of warfare. This includes studying topics such as the 300 Spartans, The Battle of Actium and Antony and Cleopatra, Trajan’s Column, and many more.

Year 12

Latin

Students begin their studies for their OCR A Level. They build on their understanding of GCSE grammar and vocabulary, enabling them to access even more sophisticated examples of Latin literature. They study important and influential texts such as Ovid’s and Catullus’ love poetry, Cicero’s speeches, and Tacitus’ historical writing. Through in depth cultural and literary analysis, these texts enable them to explore their own values whilst also deepening their understanding of ancient values and attitudes related to key themes such as gender and sexuality, death, ambition and power, and many more.

Classics

Students begin their studies for their OCR A Level. Both units involve in depth literary and contextual analysis of important and influential works of literature alongside the use of modern scholarship. In the World of the Hero unit students examine Homer’s Odyssey, gaining a greater insight into ancient attitudes towards relationships, religion, and leadership, amongst other things. The Greek theatre unit immerses students into ancient Athens though the study of two tragic plays, Euripides’ Bacchae and Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, and a comic play, Aristophanes’ Frogs. Through the plays and further study of ancient pottery and architecture, we gain an intriguing insight into the experiences and values of people living in Athens during the turbulent period of the Peloponnesian war.

Year 13

Latin

Students continue their studies for their OCR A Level. They will consolidate their understanding of Latin grammar and vocabulary through more practice of unseen translation and comprehension activities, building on what they have learned in Year 12. They will also continue their set text study, as discussed above, usually changing to a different author to broaden their experience of ancient literature.

Classics

Students continue their studies for their OCR A Level. Their immersion into the ancient world through important works of literature continues. They complete the World of the Hero unit by reading Virgil’s Aeneid and comparing it to the Odyssey, also considering the extent to which the Aeneid can be considered propaganda through its links to the emperor Augustus. They also study the Politics of the Late Republic, examining a fascinating period of Rome’s history, the fall of the republic. This study of ancient Roman politics familiarises students with famous figures such as Cicero, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony. We study the conflict between idealism and ambition and the corruption at the heart of the ancient Roman political system, enabling important discussion and debate about ancient as well as modern values.