Home > School Life > Senior School Curriculum > Classics
Classics
Head of Department: Mrs D Day
Miss C Brice
Latin
The Latin language is studied within the context of Roman civilisation, including life in Pompeii, Roman Britain, Alexandria and Rome itself. Slides and tapes are an integral part of the course. We encourage pupils to see linguistic connections with their modern languages. We also continually compare life and ideas in Roman times with those of the 21st Century.
Year 7
For one period a week all girls study a classical foundation course which includes mythology, basic language concepts and Roman life. The Cambridge Latin Course is begun during the second term.
Year 8
All girls continue to study the Cambridge Latin Course for two periods a week. The emphasis is upon understanding cases and tenses through the study of stories about life in Pompeii. Translation work is interspersed with more proactive tasks such as performing short plays to the rest of the class. Girls also have an introduction to archaeology (which includes handling Roman artefacts) and a chance to explore sites such as the Roman remains in and around Bath, or Hadrian's Wall.
Year 9
Girls entering Year 9 have the opportunity to continue their study of Latin for four periods a week, as more complex grammar and syntax are covered. The stories range further over the Roman Empire, providing an opportunity to consider life in Egypt and Britain in the first century AD. Lessons continue to focus mainly on the Cambridge Latin Course. A visit to a place of interest, such as the British Museum, is an integral part of the course.
Upper School - GCSE
Knowledge of the language continues to be strengthened and expanded, using both the Cambridge Latin Course and additional material. The work is split between exercises which test understanding of the language itself and an exploration of at least two Roman authors such as Pliny and Virgil. The girls acquire and develop considerable skills of literary analysis and appreciation. There is no translation into Latin.
Sixth Form
Latin is available at AS and A level, continuing the study of language and literature. The emphasis at AS level is upon literature, and at A level upon language.
Classical Civilisation
Sixth Form
Classical Civilisation at AS and A level is offered to any girl interested in Art and Architecture, Literature and Drama. No knowledge of Latin or Greek is required for this course. Pupils with no prior knowledge of the classical world find this course particularly rewarding and absorbing. Visits are regularly organised to lectures, theatre productions, museums and archaeological sites in this country and in Greece and Italy.
Greek
Ancient Greek is available off timetable for girls in Years 9 and above.