Classics

‘Our own world would be immeasurably the poorer, and immeasurably less comprehensible to us, if we did not continue to interact with the Roman past.’

Professor Mary Beard

Latin Intent

We want students to have an introduction to the language from which over half of English words have been derived, and from which French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Romanian have all evolved. Our teachers help the students to see the links between Latin and these different languages. We also want them to understand the workings of Latin grammar, which will in turn help to reinforce their grasp of English grammar. To bring the language alive, we believe that the students should study the Roman culture that used it. This also provides an opportunity for them to reflect on the extent to which ancient thinking has influenced their lives today, and to consider what they can learn about themselves by comparing their attitudes with those of the ancients. To support all of these aims, they study stories in Latin, complete language exercises, learn vocabulary and take part in quizzes and tests on a regular basis.

In Years 10 and 11 our Latin students continue to follow the Cambridge Latin Course, which is the most popular course in England. This course aims to expose students to as much Latin as possible so that they become familiar with its usage. The course provides a carefully structured introduction to key aspects of the language which helps the students to gain confidence and eventually mastery of the subject.

By the time the students start Year11, we expect them to be able to read the works of Roman poets and historians in the original language. We focus on turning the students into discerning readers who can identify various devices used by these authors to influence the response of the audience, and we consider how that response would compare with that of a modern day audience. This not only enables students to tackle GCSE exams with great success, but also prepares them for the A-level course. Post 16, we build students’ ability to analyse a previously unseen piece of literature, and we help them to compose Latin which not only contains accurate syntax and morphology, but which also reflects the idiom of the language. The students also learn to understand the historical context and develop an appreciation for more complex literature from a wider range of authors and genres, including political discussions.

Latin Curriculum Maps

Last course starting September 2026

Classical Civilisation Intent

The course in Years 10 and 11, enables the students to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the ancient world. It also encourages them to compare and contrast Greek and Roman ideals and to reflect on their significance both to the ancient and the modern world. It enables them to comprehend what the Romans themselves thought about their own lives through the study of poems and letters. Post 16, we focus on four key areas all of which draw upon departmental strengths and which we believe hold the greatest appeal for our students. We aim to build further the ability of students to develop an analytical mind, to draw links between subjects, to appreciate the influence of the classical world on every aspect of modern life from literary genres, to theatrical performance and even to politics.

Classical Civilisation Curriculum Maps

Last course starting September 2026