In collaboration with King’s College School, students attend an introductory course which is delivered partly at King’s College School, studying Latin and Classical Civilisation. This programme follows the Cambridge Latin Course Book 1, set in Pompeii shortly before the eruption of Vesuvius. The course is taught by experts in both fields and lasts the duration of the year.

Topics studied include: Singular and plural regular nouns (nominative, accusative and dative), present, perfect and imperfect tenses, Roman family life, Roman houses, Roman theatre, Roman towns, Roman schools, Pompeii.

Pupils continue their study of Latin and Classical Civilisation, building upon what they learnt in Year 7. Pupils are taught by a specialist teacher at Coombe. This programme focuses on Roman Britain, developing pupils’ analytical skills and linguistic abilities, alongside building on their socio-historical awareness of the period. Students may choose at the end of Year 8 to continue their studies in Year 9. In Years 9 and 10, students follow the two year Eduqas GCSE Course as a twilight option.

Topics studied include: Adjectives, infinitives, relative clauses, irregular perfect tense, genitive, vocative, hic and ille, Roman Britain, Celtic Britain, Roman Egypt, Life in Alexandria, the cult of Isis, Roman medicine.

In Years 9 and 10 students may opt to study the Eduqas GSCE course, which is taught outside of curriculum time for two hours on one evening a week. In Year 9 we continue the grounding in grammar required for the language paper. Students also study cultural elements to support the literature set texts which students will begin working on in Year 10.

Topics studied include: Adverbs, perfect active and passive participles, neuter nouns, the ablative, imperfect and pluperfect subjunctive, indirect questions and command, purpose and result clauses, Roman Bath, Roman religion, magic and curses, the Roman army, travel and communication.

What does studying Latin involve? 

The Eduqas GCSE in Latin contains a language / grammar element and a set texts / response to pre-studied literature element.  The literature element requires you to read short texts in class in Latin and in translation, understand their themes, associations and style of writing and interpret them for the modern audience.  The school will provide you with a working translation of the Latin text.

How will I know if I will be good at it?

The GCSE language expectations match roughly to the grammar covered in first three Cambridge Latin course books. There will be regular assessments to give you an idea of how well you are progressing and what you need to focus on to improve.

What skills will I develop?

A good knowledge of Latin vocabulary and grammar will enrich your English and extend your analytical skills.  The course will also help you to build your written style in English.  Through the literature you will develop an appreciation for how the Romans lived and what their values and aspirations were. 

Where could this subject lead?  

The literature and cultural elements provide a strong grounding for the A level Classical Civilisation course.  You could use Latin GCSE for a degree in ancient history, classics or languages.  A knowledge of Latin also supports terminology in certain areas of science.  Students who have studied Latin have demonstrated that they are able to think, analyse, interpret, respond and communicate ideas clearly in writing. As such they are well-placed for a variety of careers.

In Year 10 students who have opted to study the Eduqas GSCE course attend a lesson outside of curriculum time for two hours on one evening a week. In Year 10 we revise all elements of vocabulary and grammar required for the language paper. Students also continue to study cultural elements and Latin literature set texts.  The GCSE exam will be taken by students at the end of Year 10.