Classics

Classics, which includes the study of Latin, Greek and the literature and culture of the ancient Greek and Roman world, is the ultimate cross-curricular subject. It develops both creativity and logic and supports studies in English, Modern Foreign Languages, Humanities and Science. Through our investigation of the ancient world, we better understand modern society and can assess how far and in what ways our language and culture have developed. More than that, a classical education (whether in Latin, Greek, Classical Civilisation or all three) is rich and rewarding in itself and is guaranteed to make students think whilst having plenty of fun!

Key Topics and Projects

In Year 7 Students study The Cambridge Latin Course Book 1 in Years 7 and 8, building confidence and fluency in the language through our investigation of Pompeii and the adventures of Caecilius and his familia. Students familiarise themselves with the concept of cases and declensions whilst making many comparisons between the ancient and modern world, such as in our investigation of theatre and slavery. In Year 8, students build upon this knowledge and study the imperfect and perfect tenses as well as learning the dative case. We continue to investigate life in Pompeii, including gladiatorial games, bathing, Roman schooling and the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Year 9: As students advance into Year 9, they are divided into three groups. One studies Classical Civilisation alone, focusing on the Roman world and culture in English. Another group studies Latin and further cultural context focused on Roman Britain and Alexandria using the Cambridge Latin Course Book 2. The third, named ‘Gratin’ studies the same as the Latin class but with some additional Classical Greek language, using John Taylor’s Greek to GCSE. Students may opt to continue any, or indeed all, of these three subjects at GCSE.

RHS Learner Qualities

Classics continues to develop vital Learner Qualities in many ways. Students develop creativity and compassion by imagining themselves in various situations in the ancient world and communicate their ideas through class presentations, projects and debate. We analyse primary sources to help build an understanding of the Greeks and Romans and, as Latin and Greek are inflected languages, students must be critical in their thinking when studying morphology, committed to learning vocabulary and courageous when challenging themselves and their thinking.

Co-Curricular

Myth Club is a popular extra-curricular activity where mythological stories are explored through craft, acting and games. Typical annual enrichment experiences include the Classical Symposium, when students stage a classical variety show, with short dramatisations of Latin stories, sketches, quizzes, songs and more; a fascinating talk on Roman Daily Life from world-famous author Ben Kane; the Festival of Latin Drama; Roman Day with the pre-eminent Roman re-enactment group, Legio II Augusta and, with Aquae Sulis on our doorstep, a visit to the Roman Baths where students handle artefacts from 2000 years ago and discover more about what the Romans ever did for us.

‘I think that Greek and Latin are really interesting to see how many words in English or other languages are based on the vocab. Greek is also really cool because the characters are so unlike anything else.’

Year 9 student