Latin
YEARS 7 - 9
Latin has become a growth area at St.Edward's since the introduction in 2002 of Latin for all pupils in Year 7 instead of just being an option later on. This has proved to be a great success. The study of Latin gives the pupils not only a taste for the language itself and knowledge about the Romans but also the ability to study the roots of pupils' own language and see how Latin relates to the Modern Foreign Languages which they are also studying. Most pupils continue Latin through to Years 8 and 9. We use the Cambridge Latin Course which is written in a modern style with many pictures and brings the Romans to life in Pompeii, Britain and Alexandria.
The numbers for GCSE Latin have grown significantly. We use the OCR Syllabus. The examination consists of four papers: Translation / Comprehension, Further Translation, Verse Set Text (e.g. Virgil or Ovid) and Prose Set Text (e.g. Pliny or Tacitus). There is no coursework involved.
6th FORM: A-LEVEL
Latin A-level attracts a small but enthusiastic following. We have the opportunity to study some of the great classics: Virgil, Catullus, Tacitus and many more. Latin is highly valued by universities as giving an excellent intellectual training for almost any degree subject.
GREEK
Classical Greek is offered as an off-timetable extra and is currently being taken by two groups at lunchtimes and after school. This is part of our Gifted & Talented programme (click for further details).
CLASSICAL CIVILISATION
Those pupils for whom Latin is not appropriate beyond Year 7 follow a course in Classical Civilisation. We also offer Classical Civilisation as a GCSE in Years 10 and 11 - it is proving popular, with students studying Greek religion, Sparta, Homer's Odyssey and Ovid's Metamorphoses. From this year Classical Civilisation is also offered as an A-level.
