Dr R Hackney (Subject Leader)

Mrs M Sherred

Mr J Single

This is one of the few schools in which pupils still have the opportunity to study Latin at all levels, from beginners up to and including Oxbridge entry. We are pleased to be one of the lead Humanities subjects in the School's Specialist Status.

Latin is compulsory in Years 7 and 8, and then may be selected as an option in Year 9. In Key Stages 3 and 4 pupils follow the Cambridge Latin Course, enjoying the opportunity to gain the Cambridge Latin Certificates for Books I, II and III, awarded by the University of Cambridge.

As early as year 10 pupils meet original Latin literature and can read the Classics of European literature including the great poetry of Virgil and Horace. They also study various aspects of Roman civilization, including life in Roman Britain, which illustrate the society of the era.

Students can further their studies by continuing with Latin as a GCSE, AS or A Level option.

From the summer examinations of 2011onwards, students for Latin GCSE will take the Welsh board's level 2 qualification, WJEC Certificate in 'Latin Language and Roman Civilisation' and 'Latin Literature'. Each qualification will be equivalent to, but not categorised as, a GCSE - and each will be eligible for reporting in Achievement and Attainment Tables.

The Department follows the OCR "Classic" specification for Latin A Level. The AQA AS in 'Clasical Civilisation' has now been introduced as part of our Humanities Extended Schools programme on Thursday evenings, open to students from years 10 to 13 and also to the general public.

Lower Sixth Form students have the exciting opportunity of teaching the 'Minimus Primary Latin' Course in local primary schools. At the end of the Lower Sixth students are able to participate in various Classical Summer Schools, and these are of particular interest to those intending to study any classical subject at University, especially at Oxford or Cambridge. The Eton Course, at the end of the summer term of the Lower Sixth year, is a popular choice.

An Ancient Classical Greek club for all ages, run after school on Mondays, providing the opportunity for students to gain the four Greek certificates awarded by the East Midlands Association of Classical Teachers, the fourth of which is equivalent to GCSE level. Students over 16 can then participate in the Joint Association of Classical Teachers' Greek Summer School.

Thus we aim to provide not only interest in, and knowledge of, the Graeco-Roman world and its culture, as a basis of European civilisation, but also a facility in reading Latin literature in the original as well as in translation (including some Greek literature in translation) such as Homer's 'Odyssey' and 'Iliad', about the Trojan War, and famous tragic plays such as 'Antigone' and 'Oedipus'. Knowledge of Latin as a structured language provides a firm foundation for the study both of the Romance languages and of English grammar. An understanding of the achievements of the Greeks and Romans in all spheres of human activity, seen in the context of their social and political systems, is of great value in putting modern Europe in perspective.