"ipsa scientia potestas est." Knowledge itself is power.  Sir Francis Bacon

Classics lies at the heart of Western European civilisation: politics, philosophy, drama, art, architecture, law, science and mathematics all have their origins in the society of Greece and Rome, and we believe that understanding our past is key to interpreting the present. Learning Latin, moreover, develops linguistic skills and clarity of thought in a way that no other language can, besides opening up a world of wonderful literature.

KS3 Year 7

All girls study Greek Mythology in Year 7 as an introduction to the Classical world. The course includes a wide variety of work, both written tasks and more creative assignments, and covers some fantastic stories about the Trojan War and the adventures of heroes like Odysseus and Theseus. In the summer term, we run an introductory course in Ancient Greek.

Years 8 and 9

Girls begin the Cambridge Latin Course (www.cambridgescp.com) in Year 8, using textbooks and a range of electronic resources. Language work is accompanied by background material based on life in Pompeii just before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD. The course then continues in Year 9, with an introduction to life in Roman Britain and Alexandria, in Roman Egypt.

GCSE

GCSE courses in both Latin and Classical Civilisation are offered, and approximately half the year group take one or the other. Examination results in both are excellent.

Latin

Pupils continue with their language work throughout Year 10 but in Year 11, they have the opportunity to study a range of Latin literature. Texts in recent years have included love poetry by Catullus and Ovid, epic poetry by Virgil and historical texts by Caesar and Tacitus about life in Roman Britain.

www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/gcse/classics/latin/index.html

Classical Civilisation

Girls study a combination of history, archaeology and literature in English, covering topics such as life in fifth century Athens, the city of Pompeii and the Odyssey by Homer.

www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/gcse/index.html

A  Level

Latin

At AS, girls continue with their language work as well as reading one poetry and one prose text. Literature then becomes the main component of the A2 course, focusing on the work of Catullus, Ovid, Tacitus and Caesar.

www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/gce/classics/latin/index.html

Classical Civilisation

The AS course is made up of two papers, girls studying both Greek Tragedy and the epic poetry of Homer, again in English. At A2, Roman Epic is introduced along with Greek Art and Architecture.

www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/gce/classics/classical_civ/index.html

Trips

Trips to Fishbourne, Bath and the British Museum feature at various points in the courses offered as well as theatre trips to Classical plays. We regularly send committed students to the Summer Course in Ancient Greek at Bryanston School, often assisted by grants from the G.D.S.T Pearson Silver Bequest Fund. Such students generally go on to study Classics at Oxford or Cambridge.