The study of Latin forms a vital bridge between the past and the present, and also between English and the study of Modern Foreign Languages.
Latin is taught to everyone in the first three years (KS3), using the Cambridge Latin Course and some of the latest teaching methods – we have finally joined the 21st century! In addition to the more colourful fourth edition text books, we are now using data projection of the recently released e-learning resources (Book I and Book II), which has enabled students in year seven to view dramatised stories, as well as virtual and real-life tours of cultural background material in and around Pompeii and those in year eight to do the same in Roman Britain and Roman Alexandria.
In year eight, students continue to be taught vital lessons of grammar, which complement their English and MFL studies, as well as learning in some detail exactly what it was that “The Romans did for us” here in Britannia on the extreme edge of the Roman Empire. They also learn about the contribution that the Greeks made to our knowledge and understanding of science etc. while studying Roman Alexandria and one of the wonders of the ancient world - the Pharos lighthouse. Boys in year eight visit Fishbourne Roman Palace near Chichester in the summer term to complement their Latin studies about King Togidubnus in Stages 15 and 16.
During year nine, students are given the choice to continue their study of Latin to GCSE during years ten and eleven. In addition, they begin what is the first year of the GCSE course. Again the cultural background topics are centred on Roman Britain, which include material based on two of our World Heritage Sites at Aquae Sulis (Bath) and Hadrian’s Wall with particular emphasis on Roman religion, travel and communication and the organisation of the Roman army. Much information on archaeological methods is also introduced. Students learn about these topics in a variety of ways: the careful use of pre-recorded media, project work (using both books and the internet), as well as resources developed by the department over a number of years.
In year ten, students use Cambridge Latin Course Book IV, Book V and parts of IVB (second edition) to complete their Latin grammar studies. They begin to translate passages from the original Latin in preparation for their set texts in year eleven, although the prose set text is started in the final half-term and further preparation is often undertaken during the summer break.