Classics

I would let the clever ones learn Latin as an honour and Greek as a treat

Winston Churchill

The languages and literature of Greece and Rome are centrally important to our culture. The Classics Department aims to demonstrate the vitality of that heritage and to arouse intellectual curiosity, encouraging boys to think systematically about language and to develop sensitivity to cultural difference.

All boys normally study Latin for at least a year, setted according to ability and previous attainment (from complete beginners to those already at almost GCSE standard). Able linguists study Greek as well (most of them starting from scratch) within the same time allocation. After the Novi year they have the option to continue one or both languages, or to take a non-linguistic course in classical civilisation (literature in translation and ancient history); and we hope that even those who choose no classical subject will have learned something that will help their understanding of English and other languages. In both Latin and Greek, the GCSE course involves both language and literature (which includes some of the greatest in the world - Homer, Virgil, Ovid - read in unadapted original form). Sets doing both Latin and Greek now normally take Latin GCSE in the second year and Greek in the third.

In the sixth form, AS and A2 in Latin and Greek continue to combine language (to a high level of fluency in unseen translation) and literature (with a wider range of more extended set texts: currently in Latin Cicero and Ovid at AS, Virgil and Tacitus at A2; in Greek Homer and Lysias at AS, Thucydides and Aristophanes at A2). Classical Civilisation (which can be started in the sixth form) combines literary and historical topics at both levels: Homer and Athenian Democracy at AS, Virgil and the Persian Wars at A2.

Take-up of classical subjects is healthy, with unprecedentedly high numbers in the current sixth form. Several boys at any one time will be studying a classical language off-timetable (e.g. Latin as a fifth AS, or Greek to GCSE in the sixth form for late converts).

For all GCSEs, and AS/A2 in Latin and Greek we follow the OCR course and for AS/A2 Classical Civilisation we use AQA.

Staff

The department has 7 teaching members of staff

• Full staff list

Beyond the Classroom

Outside the classroom the Classical and Athena Societies provide opportunities to hear visiting and home-team speakers (including boys) in a convivial atmosphere; there are regular theatre and museum trips to London; and an annual week-long Classics trip in the October half term, alternating between Greece one year and another classical destination the next (Italy, Sicily, Provence or Turkey in the last few years).

Beyond A-level

Classical subjects are highly regarded both by universities and by employers for the training they provide in logical thought and clear expression. There is wide scope for pursuing them in higher education, on their own or in combination with other subjects. They also provide a good foundation for more vocational courses such as Law. Numerous boys go on to study Classics at university, and the department has a very good record of Oxbridge success.

Classics Trip to Pergamum, Turkey