Curriculum
Departments: Classics

GREEK, LATIN and CLASSICAL CIVILISATION

Latin is studied by all girls in Years 7 – 9. The course is centred around the Cambridge Latin Course which introduces the language through passages revolving around different aspects of life in the Roman Empire.

Greek is studied by the most able girls in each year group in Years 7 – 9. We use a textbook written by a former Head of Classics in the Boys’ School which provides a very systematic and structured approach to the language The pupils are encouraged to do a project each term on a different aspect of Greek Civilisation.

By the end of the first three years pupils will have acquired a sound basis for further study to GCSE and will also have tasted some of the richness of Greek and Roman Civilisation.

Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation GCSEs are optional in Years 10 and 11, following the syllabuses of the OCR examination board. Classical Civilisation consists of the study of the Ancient World in translation.

Latin , Greek and Classical Civilisation are all offered at AS and A2 level, again following the OCR specification.

Prose and verse literature are studied for both languages; in Latin, Tacitus, Virgil and Ovid; in Greek , Homer, Sophocles, Thucydides are some of the available options.

The Classical Civilisation specification comprises the study of Epic and Tragedy in translation, and Greek Art and Architecture.

Wherever possible girls are invited to enjoy extra-curricular activities to support their studies, such as visits to museums, historical sites and theatre trips. We also have a visiting speaker for the Upper School at least once a year.

All girls are offered a study trip to Greece at the end of Year 11.