Latin and Classics - Curriculum Intent, Implementation and Impact

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Intent: Classics is a wide-ranging subject which gives students the opportunity to learn about the language, literature, history, art and society of the ancient civilisations of Rome and Greece. At Tenison’s all pupils study Latin in Key Stage 3 and can choose to take Latin at GCSE, and we offer Classical Civilisation as an A Level. As a department, our intent is to engage students’ curiosity and introduce them to the fascinating society of Ancient Rome. The translation and comprehension of the Latin language enables our students to develop their analytical and problem-solving skills. As English has its roots in Latin, studying the language ensures pupils become more confident in their understanding of grammar, increase the range of their vocabulary and improve their literacy. 

 

Implementation: At Key Stage 3, pupils study Latin using the Cambridge Latin course as our key text. In Year 7 we begin with an introduction to English grammar, in order to improve pupils’ understanding of how the English language works. This focus increases students’ confidence in learning modern foreign languages, as well as giving them a good foundational knowledge of grammar before starting Latin. We use a reading approach for Latin lessons, introducing new vocabulary and grammar through the translation and comprehension of a series of interconnected stories. Students learn about Roman daily life in the ancient Roman town of Pompeii. As students progress through Years 7 to 9, they are introduced to more complex grammar and a wide range of vocabulary, which gives them a good foundation for GCSE.

 

At GCSE, students build on the work done at Key Stage 3 in developing their skills of translation, analysis of literature and understanding of the Roman world. As our students’ knowledge of the Latin language advances, they are able to translate and analyse the literature of ancient Roman authors, as well as translating increasingly challenging unseen translations. Students will learn about an aspect of the ancient Roman world; the area of study changes each year, but recent topics have included magic and superstition in the ancient world and Roman entertainment.

 

Classical Civilisation at A Level gives students the opportunity to learn about the ancient world without the requirement of studying ancient languages. At Tenison’s the course is designed so students can learn about both ancient Greece and Rome, with a balance of history and literature. The Imperial Image module focuses on how propaganda was used to create an image of Augustus as the ideal Roman Emperor. In the World of the Hero module students read Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid and analyse the key characters and themes of each epic poem. In Greek religion, students learn about the Olympiad of Greek gods, study Greek temples, the practise of religion in Greek society and Greek philosophy. 

 

As a small department of Classics specialists, we work closely as a team to create engaging and challenging lessons in both Latin and Classics. We are passionate about making Latin and Classics accessible for all students, and we are pleased that students with a wide range of prior attainment choose to take Latin at GCSE. We work closely with national charities such as Classics for All and regularly undertake training to ensure we are providing a rounded experience of learning Latin and Classics based on up-to-date pedagogical approaches. 

 

Impact: Latin and Classics have been introduced relatively recently at Archbishop Tenison’s. The number of students choosing to take Latin in Year 9 has grown significantly and we have a good number of students who choose Latin as their GCSE language option. Our first cohort of GCSE students completed their course and achieved good results in 2020. In 2019, our first group of Classical Civilisation AS level students achieved excellent results, with 100% of students achieving A*-C grades. Students have gone on from Tenison’s to study Classical subjects at university with great success. 

 

Keystage 3

 

Year 7

• Introduction to Latin & Roman civilisation

• English Grammar overview – nouns, adjectives, pronouns, verbs and adverbs

• Simple Latin sentences, Caecilius and his household

• The nominative and the accusative singular, Roman houses

• The present tense, daily life in Pompeii

• Noun declensions, Greek mythology  

 

Year 8

• Singular and plural verbs, Roman businesses

• Questions, the town of Pompeii

• Pronouns, the Roman forum

• Plural verbs, the theatre

• Imperfect and perfect tenses, Roman plays

• Imperfect and perfect tenses, Slaves and freedmen

 

Year 9

• The dative, Roman beliefs about life after death

• Comparative adjectives, gladiatorial shows and Roman baths

• Pronouns, Roman education and the destruction of Pompeii

• Irregular verbs, the infinitive, Roman Britain

• Adjectives, the Roman conquest

 

 

Eduqas Latin  GCSE

 

Component 1: Latin Language (50%)

• Section A: comprehension questions – translation.

• Section B: Either grammar or translation from Latin into English

• Written exam – 1 hour 30 minutes

 

Component 2: Latin Literature  (30%)

• Magic and superstition

• A prescription of Latin literature, prose and verse, with prescribed source materials on the same theme

• Written exam – 1 hour 15 minutes

 

Component 3B: Roman Civilisation (20%)

• Daily Life in a Roman town

• A prescription of sources  to analyse

• Written exam – 1 hour

 

 

 

OCR Classical Civilisation A Level

 

Unit 1: The World of the Hero (40%)

• Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid (all literature is studied in English)

• 2 hour 20 minute exam

 

Unit 2: Imperial Image (30%)

• Literature and the art & architecture of Augustan Rome

• 1 hour 45 minute exam

 

Unit 3: Greek religion (30%)

• The Olympian gods, religion and society, worship of the gods, philosophy

• 1 hour 45 minute exam