We aim to:

Introduce pupils to the ancient civilisations of Greece and Rome and help them to gain an insight into the continuing influence of these cultures on our lives today.

What is Classics?

The subject appeals and challenges in different ways throughout a student’s time at the school. From discussing the behaviour of the gods in the First Year to translating Virgil from the original Latin, from analysing the heroic quality of Achilles to describing the beauty of a Classical sculpture or analysing Ovid’s descriptive power; Latin and Classical Civilisation offer great depth of study to enquiring minds.

What staff and facilities are available to the department?

There are four full-time Classics teachers and the Classics department is housed in its own block of four classrooms. The department also has its own library in which Sixth Form teaching is done. Two classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards and every room has its own TV and DVD. The department makes full use of the large number of visual resources available for this subject.

How much time will I spend on this subject per ten day cycle?

• First Year; 1 lesson (1 hour) with 30 minutes homework Second & Third Year: 3 lessons (3 hours) with 2 x 30 minutes homework
• GCSE: 5 lessons (5 hours) with 3 x 30 minutes homework
• A Level: 10 lessons (10 hours) with at least 3 hours of private study

What is Classics in the Lower School like?

First Years study the myths of the Ancient Greeks – Theseus and the Minotaur, Heracles, the Trojan War and many others – before moving on to learning about important aspects of life in Ancient Greece. Second and Third Years study Latin following the journey of a young Roman from the ashes of Pompeii, through Alexandria and Roman Egypt to Roman Britain, while all the time learning to approach this most challenging of subjects with confidence and determination.

What happens further up the school?

At GCSE pupils can choose between Latin and Classical Civilisation or, for true Classicists, study both. Students can continue to study either or both subjects at A Level.

Are there any extra-curricular activities?

There are a number of clubs offered by the Classics Department. First years are given the opportunity to join Classics Club which gives pupils an opportunity to explore the ancient world through a variety of craft and otherwise educational projects. There is also a Hieroglyphic club offered for those wishing for something more esoteric! The annual Classics Play has a firm slot in the school calendar. Over the last four years we have put on Medea, Agamemnon, Oedipus and Hippolytus using music and dance to aid interpretation. Next year we will be staging Antigone. Additionally, suitable pupils in the third year are offered the chance to take Ancient Greek GCSE in the fourth year, after a course of extra-curricular lessons.

Do you go on any trips?

In 2008 the Department took a large party of pupils from the Fourth Year upwards on a tour to Greece. In addition to this, the Classics and Geography departments took a group of Third Year pupils to Sorrento to see Vesuvius and its victim, Pompeii. The Sixth Form went on trips to London to the British Museum and the National Theatre to see Ralph Fiennes as Oedipus and to Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. We also visited Hadrian’s Wall with the Fourth Year. In Easter 2010 we will be taking 46 pupils to Rome and the Bay of Naples.