Latin is taught to all of our pupils in Years 7 and 8. In Year9, many girls continue with Latin while others choose to study Classical Civilisation. Both subjects are offered at GCSE level where girls have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of the Latin language, and delve deeper into the classical world and its legacy.
Classics pupils engage in a variety of topics such as democracy, art, drama and culture, and acquire a deeper appreciation of the ancient world’s influence on modern life.
The Latin language is all around us and its study enhances pupils’ vocabulary and comprehension skills. We often make connections between Latin and English, and other modern languages. For many girls, this helps to stretch their capacity to learn new languages and increases academic success in other areas of study.
Latin and Classics are taught in our modern, well resourced classrooms by a small team of expert teaching staff. Our small class sizes enable us to provide girls with individualised support throughout their time with us. We pride ourselves on engaging girls in a diverse range of activities to enhance their learning and development. Activities include: interactive language exercises using Task Magic and the Cambridge Latin Course E-learning resource, educational games, quizzes and regular multimedia learning exercises.
There are many opportunities for girls to develop their skills beyond the curriculum and for the most able girls to excel in their chosen subject. Weekly Latin and Classics support clinics are run to provide individual, specialist support to pupils. We also run an annual Classics Stretch Quiz as well as an annual Departmental Competition.
Beyond the classroom, girls have the opportunity to enter national competitions such as the University of Cambridge ‘Make a Myth’ competition. Girls can attend an annual drama workshop run by the Splendid Theatre Company where they have the opportunity to perform extracts from Greek Tragedy or Homer's 'Odyssey'. The girls watch classical plays and are given the opportunity to attend specialist lectures on their courses. There is also a weekly Classics club called 'Swords and Sandals’ which runs after time-tabled lessons.
Our department has a well-established programme of local and international trips as part of the School’s extensive co-curricular offering. These include trips to the St Albans’ Verulamium Museum and Roman Theatre, the Corinium Museum, the Kallos Gallery and the British Museum. We also run educational trips to Rome and the Bay of Naples to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum.