Classics
Curriculum
Latin: pupils begin their study of Latin in the First Year of senior school as part of their introductory Classics course. In the Second and Third Year (Years 8 and 9) the Roman world is further brought to life using the Cambridge Latin Course, which is highly popular among our pupils. The complementary e-learning resource packages contain well over 1,000 activities, including video clips, audio sequences, dramatisations and interactive exercises. Latin is optional at GCSE level but is very well supported and results are consistently strong. Students who continue their studies to Advanced level appreciate the scholarly and informal atmosphere in which the subject is taught and enjoy a strong and special camaraderie together.
Classical Civilisation: all our pupils study Classics in the First Year (Year 7). Eleven- and twelve-year olds find a great stimulus to the imagination in Greek mythology. Fantasy and legend fit into the pattern of their lives at this stage, at the same time bringing them into early contact with other aspects of the classical world. This helps to whet their appetite and sustain their interest during the more concrete and practical tasks of a Latin linguistic course. At the heart of the course is a study of classical mythology, including the Trojan War, which embraces many other areas of the curriculum including PSHE and language work. Classical Civilisation is a popular option course at both GCSE and Advanced level, being accessible and attractive to students across the ability range as well as providing a rewarding contrast in study for the budding scientist.
Classical Greek: the school remains a staunch supporter of offering Greek, whenever there is demand, at both GCSE and Advanced level. Numbers are small but quality and enthusiasm invariably high.
Students of Latin and Greek are entered for public exams set by the OCR examination board, while Classical Civilisation students sit examinations set by AQA.
Facilities and resources
The Classics suite is located in a prime position on the ground floor of the Queen's Wing. Our well-appointed rooms are conducive to high quality learning. They are equipped with data projectors to facilitate the delivery of our popular e-learning resources as well as our ever-expanding and concurrent video, DVD and software collections. In this area there is also a very well stocked Classics bookstore and office. Examples of pupils’ work adorn the classrooms and adjacent corridor.
Trips
The highlight for many of our pupils is our annual trip to Rome and the Bay 
of Naples. This is primarily, but not exclusively, designed for our GCSE Latin and Classical Civilisation students to supplement and enrich their enjoyment and appreciation of the classical world. Highlights of our stay in Rome include visits to the Colosseum, the Forum, the Catacombs and the Vatican. From our base in Sorrento excursions are organized to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Capri, Mount Vesuvius, Naples Archaeological Museum, the amphitheatre at Pozzuoli, the volcanic crater of Solfatara, and Poppaea's Villa at Oplontis.
A variety of other trips to classical sites of interest, theatrical productions, study days and reading competitions are also organised by the department as appropriate.
