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Latin

Latin is a fascinating and rewarding subject which all students study in Year 7. The focus of study is on the Latin language, vocabulary, grammar and most importantly how to translate Latin into fluent English. There is also an emphasis on expanding the students’ knowledge and understanding of English by looking at derivations. Finally, the courses which we follow help students to learn more about the Romans and their culture. As a result of this, the two courses of Latin and Classical Civilisation, go extremely well together. Students will develop invaluable skills when studying Latin; an eye for detail, understanding of grammatical structures, expansion of their English vocabulary and an ability to appreciate cultural differences and different values. Two thirds of the cohort continues with Latin in Year 8, while one third move to study Classical Civilisation. From Year 9, Latin is an optional subject.

Year 7

  • Introduction to Ancient Languages and Latin
  • Cambridge Latin Course Book 1 – Stages 1-4 (Pompeii and Caecilius)
  • Cambridge Latin Course Book 1 – Stages 5-8 (Pompeii and Entertainment)
  • Cambridge Latin Course Book 1 – Stages 9-12 (Pompeii and the Eruption)

Year 8

  • Revision of Year 7 vocabulary, grammar and knowledge of the Romans
  • Cambridge Latin Course Book 2 – Stages 13-15 (The Romans in Britain)
  • Cambridge Latin Course Book 2 – Stages 16-18 (Fishbourne Roman Palace and Roman Egypt)
  • Cambridge Latin Course Book 2 – Stages 19-20 (Roman Egypt)

Year 9

  • Pupils study the Cambridge Latin Course Book III
  • New grammar features are introduced for pupils to learn
  • In each stage they have the chance to further develop their knowledge of vocabulary
  • The course also covers the Romans in Britain and the adventures of some Roman soldiers, as well as the death of King Cogidubnus and the plot against his life.

GCSE

Pupils will follow the Eduqas GCSE specification (9-1).

Latin is the study of the Latin language and Roman civilisation. With Latin’s huge influence on English and modern European languages, a knowledge of Latin is a wonderful complement to GCSE English, Spanish and French; with its influence on scientific terminology, Latin is of great assistance in all science subjects.

Interesting and stimulating, Latin helps teach the skills of logical and analytical thinking and the importance of precision and industry. Latin is prized in careers such as Law, Medicine, IT and other intellectually demanding fields.

Course content

Candidates will sit three examinations taken at the end of Year 11.

Typically, pupils will study:

Unit 1:         Latin language (50% GCSE): Translation and comprehension of various stories from mythology and history.

Unit 2:         Latin literature and sources (30% GCSE): Prose and verse on a theme with ancient source materials on the same theme.

Unit 3A:       Latin literature (20% GCSE): Either a prose or verse narrative.

Or

Unit 3B:       Roman civilisation (20% GCSE): Using source material to look at different topics to do with ancient Roman culture, such as daily life in a Roman town or Roman Britain.