Classics/Latin

Those who know no foreign language know nothing of their mother tongue.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Welcome to Classics and Latin!

Studying Latin promotes grammatical and linguistic knowledge which supports English and MFL. Latin language promotes the notion of derivation and enhances students’ English vocabulary through the learning of Latin-based words. It supports students’ understanding of the evolution of spoken words and interrelationships between different Romance languages. Latin language continues and extends the work on English grammar which took place in KS2. For example, students explore in more depth the parts of speech, clauses, tenses and agreement. In addition, students gain transferable skills such as problem-solving which is helpful in decoding. Translating a Latin text is not just a simple translation activity, but it is a decoding practice as certain ‘formulas’ are followed in order to achieve coherence and fluency.

Studying Classics promotes critical thinking and cultural knowledge. It makes students more familiar with the nature of historical evidence and helps them in understanding better the concept and importance of archaeology. Pompeii is a vivid example and case study of a historical civilisation, which, in spite of its destruction, still survives and provides us with interesting facts about the Roman lifestyle and classical antiquity. Through the study of civilisation and culture, philosophical discussion is also encouraged.

Latin and Classics is a multi-disciplinary subject which connects broadly with the rest of our curriculum. We aim to promote a whole-school/ cross-curricular ethos about it by drawing connections between English, Modern Foreign Languages, Humanities, Drama and Art.

Through the study of Classics and Latin, students will be encouraged to become inquisitive, disciplined, persistent and imaginative learners. In KS3, we will build the foundations for future study at KS4 and KS5. The integrated curriculum of KS3 prepares students for the study of literature, language and civilisation for GCSE and A-level.

During this academic year, each Year 7 students study Classics and Latin lessons twice a fortnight. In Year 8 and 9, they will have one lesson per fortnight.

Curriculum Intent Latin 2025-26

Curriculum Map

Our curriculum map shows the academic journey of our students in KS3 and KS4. It outlines the structure of our Classics and Latin lessons and shows how skills are introduced and revisited in each stage of the Cambridge Latin Course (KS3) and the OCR Latin and Classical Civilisation GCSEs.
Overview Curriculum Progression Map 2025-26

Curriculum

Our Schemes of Learning and resources allow the students to explore the Latin language (vocabulary, grammar, derivations) and the Roman Civilisation (culture, traditions, history).

Our lessons are taught using various resources and strategies with the aim of making the learning journey as enjoyable as possible. Students are encouraged to practise the language (vocabulary and grammar) both in and outside of the classroom.

We develop an effective collaboration with students with the aim of creating excellence together. We motivate our pupils to develop an interest in Latin and Classics (language, stories, civilisation and culture) because studying Classics and Latin gives the opportunity to the students to be inquisitive, persistent, collaborative, imaginative and disciplined.

KS3

In KS3, we build the foundations for future study at KS4 and KS5. The integrated curriculum of KS3 prepares students for the study of literature, language and civilisation for GCSE and A-level. KS3 studies and explores Classics and Latin through Cambridge Latin Course.

Year 7 students have their Classics lessons twice per fortnight. Year 8 and Year 9 students have their lessons once per fortnight.

The KS3 curriculum map below outlines what materials and skills are covered during each half term (2024-25) per year group.

KS3 Curriculum Map

KS4

In KS4, we develop and enhance further the foundational knowledge which was studied in KS3. Our students study the OCR GCSE Latin course and explore in detail Latin language, Latin literature, culture and civilisation.

The class of 2026 (Year 10) study GCSE Latin as one of their subject options on the main timetable (6 hours per fortnight). They will be taking their Latin GCSE exam at the end of Year 10 (a year earlier). The class of 2025 (Year 11), who have taken their Latin GCSE already at the end of year 10, study Classical Civilisation and will achieve their second GCSE by the end of Year 11.

The KS4 curriculum below outlines what materials and skills Year 10 and Year 11 covers during this academic year.

You can find more details about the Latin GCSE by clicking this link here (OCR Latin GCSE specifications) https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/220702-specification-accredited-gcse-latin-j282.pdf.

If you wish to find out more about the Classical Civilisation GCSE, please click here https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/315240-specification-accredited-gcse-classical-civilisation-j199.pdf.

KS4 Curriculum Map

KS4 Results

Our first cohort of Latinists, who studied Latin twice a week as an extra-curricular subject, sat their GCSE Latin exams in 2022 at the end of their Y10. They showed great resilience and commitment to the course and achieved excellent results. Well done!

KS5

We do not offer Latin A-level at the moment, but we hope to do so in the future. Classical Civilisation A-level is currently offered at LSU which is part of LASWAP consortium. You can find more details by clicking this link https://www.laswap.camden.sch.uk/Classics/.

Enrichment Opportunities

Trips

In October 2022, Year 10 GCSE Latin students and Y9 students who were interested in doing Latin GCSE had the opportunity to attend an unforgettable trip to Pompeii and Herculaneum.

During our trip to Pompeii and Herculaneum, we explored and visited the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The students walked in the streets of Pompeii where the famous citizen Caecilius (who they study about in KS3) walked and completed business. They explored the Roman amphitheatre and learned about Gladiator shows and Roman Theatre. Also, they investigated the Forum of Pompeii and enhanced their learning about the Roman Baths. Lastly, the students had the opportunity to compare the city of Pompeii with Herculaneum, an ancient city which is more preserved and provides with more archaeological evidence about the Roman lifestyle.

All students enjoyed the trip and had an amazing time!

Pompeii Trip

Extra-curricular activities

KS3 Myths Club – TBC
KS4 after school revision – Tuesday for Y10 and Friday for Y11
Educational visits to the British museum, Museum of London, the temple of Mithras and the Roman amphitheatre at London Guildhall
Trip to Pompeii
Partnership with Channing School – 6 students of Year 8 are currently attending their Latin Club on Wednesday every week

British Museum and Museum of London

Things to see and do

Visit the British museum and Museum of London
Visit the Roman amphitheatre at London Guildhall
Learn the vocabulary on vocab express
Read Virgil’s Aeneid in English Translation
Read the Roman and Greek myths: Hercules, Romulus and Remus, Myth of Jupiter and Io etc
Read about Roman Religion and Greek Religion – the Olympian Pantheon
Watch the Disney film ‘Hercules’
Watch the films ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Troy’ (if age appropriate)

Acland Burghley School