Classics
‘Classics’ is the name given to the study of ancient Greeks and Romans. Nowadays it is an umbrella term covering all aspects of the field, from art history through philosophy to demography and archaeology. It also incorporates study of other Ancient Civilisations, such as the Persians. The classical languages are highly valued as intellectual disciplines and as an unrivalled route to literacy at the highest level. Classics involves not only linguistic and literary understanding, but also knowledge and appreciation of the huge influence the ancient classical world has on our own. It is thanks to the Greeks and Romans that we have drama, philosophy, history, law, science and medicine as we understand them today; classical Greek and Roman ideals of art and architecture still form the baseline of our artistic standards.
In a world increasingly dominated by political and economic global concerns, we aim to give our students the solid cultural and linguistic background that will enable them to make calm, sensible, thoughtful decisions about their futures.
“No other subject is so appropriate to every age, every place and every time.”
— Cicero, 62 B.C.E.
“A person with no knowledge of the Classical world will be forever a shy guest at the feast of the world’s culture.”
— James Joyce
We aim to prove the truth of those words.
Our Staff
Ms Banner (Head of Department)
Miss Cohen
Mr Nash
Latin
Latin is studied by all students in Years 7 and 8. At the end of Year 8, GCSE option choices are made. Numbers of pupils opting for Latin have remained healthy over the last few years, and the A Level course is available in the sixth form to those who have completed the GCSE.
Classical Civilisation
Classical Civilisation is available as an A level to all students since knowledge of Greek and Latin is not required. Classical Civilisation allows students to explore the people, places and ideas of the Classical World and to consider a culture so different from ours yet with which we have so much in common. Topics studied may include Greek and Roman epic, the Greek Theatre and Greek religion.
Enrichment and Trips
The department likes to take one major visit abroad every other year, together with smaller visits in this country. In recent years we have gone to Italy, Greece and Turkey. In previous trips we have attended a football match in Rome, went to a gladiator school and made proper Italian pizza and ice-cream! The next trip is planned for Easter 2025 to The Bay of Naples.
In the local area we make regular theatre and museum visits, as well as an annual appearance at the local Classical quiz with neighbouring schools and lecture days at other local schools. From time to time, we make a three-day visit to Hadrian's Wall and Bath.
There is a Classics Club for any student, at which speakers lead discussions on Classical matters in a relaxed manner. For older students there is a half termly discussion group, where texts and ideas are discussed at an advanced level, through modern scholarship.
Classical Greek
Classical Greek is the forerunner of Modern Greek, which still strongly resembles its ancient equivalent in many ways. It was widely spoken throughout the eastern Mediterranean from the time of Alexander the Great and continued to be the most commonly spoken language in the eastern half of the Roman Empire. Famous Greek authors include Homer, Sophocles and Plato; Greek is also the language of the New Testament.
This subject has always been studied at Wilson's outside of the normal timetable. This is a highly intensive course that will appeal particularly to those with good levels of linguistic ability and who are prepared to put in the dedication such a course will take. Students in Year 8 are offered Greek off-timetable and those wishing to continue their studies, after some taster sessions, will be expected to attend regular lessons, with a view to completing the Intermediate Certificate in Classical Greek (ICCG) in Year 10. Those who wish to continue their studies of Greek after this should speak with the teachers in the Classics department.
Latin
Key Stage 3
The Roman world and the Latin Language have inspired many great thinkers, influenced many languages and cultures and trained intelligent minds for generations. The Key Stage 3 course opens up the ancient world and Latin language for all students in Years 7 and 8.
Year 7
The Year 7 course is an introduction into the Latin language and Roman life. Book I of the Cambridge Latin Course is used to allow students to gain an understanding of how Latin influences English in the first few weeks of the course. The learning of the Latin language then begins in earnest with the first stage of the Cambridge Latin Course. Emphasis is put on building students’ confidence with reading Latin, both silently and aloud.
The learning of the language is interspersed with learning about the daily life of the Romans in Pompeii. Topics include houses, the theatre, the layout of Pompeii and dining. Students will also learn Greek mythology and will immediately learn how to use and analyse ancient sources.
In the Summer of Year 7 we study the Trojan War in depth, drawing upon Homer’s Iliad and using art and modern cinematic interpretations to explore the influence on the modern world.
From September 2024 we shall use the course Suburani. Students will be thrust into the middle of the crowded streets of Rome where they learn what Roman life was like for the different people in Roman society. They will learn about the mythical founding of Rome, the different stages of Roman history, chariot racing, the Emperor Nero, the great fire of Rome, bathing, and the role of women alongside Greek mythology, history and art.
Year 8
The Year 8 course builds upon what is learnt in Year 7, in terms of Latin Language, Roman life and Greek mythology. We finish Book I of the Cambridge Latin Course. Students will learn more grammar, more vocabulary, and be exposed to a wider range of ancient sources. The learning of the language will be interspersed with learning about gladiators, bathing and the destruction and rediscovery of Pompeii. After the end of Key Stage exam in the Summer term, students will complete a project, which explores the reception of the Ancient World in the modern day.
From September 2025 students in Year 8 will continue their study of Suburani and encounter harder grammatical constructions such as the past tense, all noun cases and adjectival agreement , and study Roman Britain, pirates and more Greek history and mythology.
KS3 Core Concepts
| 1 Vocabulary |
Exceeding: Has an exceptionally strong command of all vocabulary encountered, recognises words in their various forms and makes sound judgments of the meaning of unknown words through an understanding of stems and derivations. Secure: Has an excellent knowledge of required vocabulary, usually recognises words in their various forms and can sometimes make good judgments about unknown words. Developing: Has a growing knowledge of the required vocabulary. |
| 2 Translation and comprehension |
Exceeding: Shows excellent understanding of extended stories, which use the past and present tenses, all cases of required nouns, irregular elements and concessive clauses, through answering comprehension questions with detail and accuracy. Translates unseen Latin extracts into idiomatic and natural English with an excellent level of accuracy and style. Secure: Shows good understanding of stories, which use the past and present tenses, all cases of required nouns and concessive clauses, through answering comprehension questions with detail and accuracy. Translates unseen Latin extracts into idiomatic and natural English with a good level of accuracy and style. Developing: Shows some understanding of stories, which use the past and present tenses and all cases of required nouns through answering simple comprehension questions. Translates unseen Latin extracts into English, although sometimes lacks accuracy and/or style. |
| 3 Grammatical knowledge |
Exceeding: Shows excellent knowledge of and can recognise the form of familiar and unfamiliar words. Students can:
Translates into Latin (prose composition) accurately, using past and present tenses and using a wide range of vocabulary and structures. Sentences show an excellent understanding of word order and adjectival agreement. Secure: Shows good knowledge of the grammatical features listed for the required vocabulary. Translates into Latin (prose composition) accurately, using past and present tenses of required vocabulary. Sentences show a good understanding of word order. Developing: Shows some knowledge of the listed grammatical features. Translates simple sentences into Latin (prose composition), using the present tense and required vocabulary. Sentences show some understanding of word order. |
| 4 Analysis, evaluation and appreciation of sources |
Exceeding: Demonstrates exceptional understanding by using sources to describe, explain, make judgments and express personal opinion about the social, political, archaeological and literary aspects of the ancient world. Responses demonstrate a very perceptive understanding of relevant aspects of the source’s key themes and ideas. Analysis is very well developed, with perceptive connections made between different parts of the ancient world and other sources encountered. Supporting evidence is expertly selected and give evidence of deep and independent thought. Secure: Responds to familiar and unfamiliar sources perceptively to offer sound analysis and evaluation. Responses are insightful and take into account current knowledge of the ancient world. Opinions are supported with the use of evidence. Developing: Demonstrates an understanding of sources but responses are sometimes surface level and demonstrate a simplistic understanding of key issues and themes from the ancient world. |
Key Stage 4
GCSE
The aim of the Latin course is to allow students to reach a stage where they have the language and the skills to appreciate texts written by the Romans, and to analyse visual sources and some texts in translation. These sources allow students to appreciate the people and places of the ancient world through some first-hand accounts and the archaeological record.
At GCSE we follow the Eduqas syllabus. There are many resources available online at https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/latin-gcse/#tab_keydocuments
There are 3 papers:
- Component 1: Latin Language – 50%
- Component 2: Latin Literature and Sources – 30%
- Component 3: Roman Civilisation– 20%
Within the Language paper, there is an option to compose three short simple sentences into Latin, or to answer some grammar questions. This option holds 10% of the marks for this paper (and so 5% of the GCSE as a whole). A special list of about 80 words, all of which are also on the main word list, is prescribed for this option.
The current topics for Component 2 and 3 are:
- Component 2 (until 2026):- Theme B – Love and Marriage
- Component 3B (until 2026):- Theme A - The City of Rome
Year 9
The Year 9 course builds upon what is learnt in Years 7 and 8 using Book II and III of the Cambridge Latin Course. (From September 2026 students will continue their studies using Suburani Books 1 and 2.)
By the end of Year 9 students will have advanced their knowledge of noun and verbs, adjectival agreement, pronouns and the relative clause. Students will have explored life in Roman Britain and Egypt, through the stories they study and the background information of the coursebook with plenty of opportunity to practise writing extended responses to various sources and enquiry questions.
Students will continue to improve their knowledge of Latin vocabulary, drawing links between Latin words and their English derivations, while the learning of literature will allow students to experience at first hand Roman ideas and views.
During Year 9, students will also have studied most of the required material for Component 3B: Roman Civilisation, which requires in-depth study of visual, literary (texts in translation) and archaeological sources within an overarching theme. The theme for 2025 and 2026 is ‘The City of Rome’. Other themes in the past have included ‘Entertainment and Leisure’ and ‘Daily Life in a Roman town’.
Year 10
The Year 10 course builds upon what is learnt in previous years using books III and IV of the Cambridge Latin Course. (From September 2027 students will continue their studies using Suburani Book 2.)
By the end of Year 10 students will know most of the grammatical features required for GCSE, and will learn about subjunctive clauses, the ablative case, and passive verbs. Students will have explored topics including the Roman Army and the City of Rome alongside and through the stories they encounter in the coursebook. Students will learn and be tested on the GCSE vocabulary list (about 440 words). Most of these words will already have been learnt in Years 7-9.
By the end of Year 10, students will have covered most of Component 2: Latin Literature and Sources, reading and analysing original texts in Latin of various genres, alongside visual sources around a specific theme. In 2025 and 2026 this theme is ‘Love and Marriage’. In the past other themes have included ‘Chariot Racing’ and ‘Magic and Superstition’.
Year 11
Year 11 will be the culmination of the GCSE Latin course. Any remaining elements of the language requirements will be studied in the Autumn Term and students will finish their studies of sources for Components 2 and 3.
The course book Latin Stories: A GCSE Reader provides many texts in the format of the language papers; this allows for practising translation skills as well as opening students to a breadth of Latin texts. The course book Essential GCSE Latin by John Tayor allows for a systematic revision of all the language required for GCSE.
We also spend time working on extended writing in response to the prescribed material for both Component 2 and Component 3, to ensure confidence as students prepare for their summer exams.
Key Stage 5
A Level Latin
The aim of the Latin course is to allow students to build on the knowledge, understanding and skills at GCSE, to enable them to immerse themselves in the lives of the Romans and their contemporaries, through confident reading of Latin texts. Students will be introduced to a greater range of vocabulary through wider reading of original material, more complex examples of syntax and accidence and the in-depth study of prose and verse literature. At the end of Year 13, they should reach a stage where they have the language skills to independently appreciate texts written by the Romans and have a wide and deep knowledge about the Ancient World through the reading of modern scholarship, as well an appreciation and understanding of the archaeological record and both ancient and modern art. We want the A Level in Latin to engage students, develop a desire within them to continue learning Latin and help develop a lifelong enthusiasm for the Classical world. At the end of Year 13, students will be well-prepared University study in any Classical field.
The A Level examination board is OCR. Information and resources can be found online here. https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/latin-h043-h443-from-2016/
Year 12
Language
The Year 12 course aims to build on the accidence and syntax learnt at GCSE, so students can tackle more advanced texts by a wide range of Roman authors. There is a set vocabulary list of about 850 words (440 of which they will know from GCSE) and students are tested on these often. In the exam they are expected to translate an unseen passage of slightly adapted Latin, and to choose either a comprehension exercise or to translate 5 sentences into Latin.
Literature
One verse and one prose set text in studied in depth, in a similar way to at GCSE. This allows students to delve into Roman history and read what is considered to be the greatest epic poetry in Latin. In the exam, students are expected to translate small sections of these texts, answer questions of comprehension and show understanding and appreciation of the context and literary style of these texts within extended responses and an essay. Work throughout the year encourages an in-depth appreciation of the text and its historical and social context. The set texts until 2026 are:
Prose
Year 12- Tacitus, Annals XII. 25-26; 41-43; 52-53; 56-59; 64-69 (Latin).
Students read about the final years in the reign of the Emperor Claudius, and the influential role of his wife Agrippina in ensuring her son Nero follows as Emperor. Full of intrigue and social commentary, this is one of the most exciting periods in Roman Imperial history.
Verse
Year 12 - Virgil, Aeneid Book 2, 40–249.
Trojan hero Aeneas narrates the story of the end of the Trojan War and how his people were taken in by the Greeks and the Trojan Horse trickery. One of the most famous parts of the myth, students learn about Greek mythology as well as the role of this epic poem in Augustan Rome.
Year 13
Language
The Year 13 course aims to build students’ confidence of the accidence and syntax learnt in Year 12. There is no set vocabulary list and students will be exposed to a variety of un-adapted Latin texts by many different authors in both prose and verse, to help build up their knowledge of vocabulary and Latin idiom. Learning to translate verse offers new challenges but is incredibly rewarding. Students develop their independent learning skills and are encouraged to read a range of ancient and modern texts to enrich their understanding. There are two language exams. In Paper 1, students are expected to translate two unseen passages; one of prose and one of verse. These authors are known in advance. In Paper 2 there is a choice of comprehension questions about an unseen extract by any author with 15 marks available for demonstration of grammatical knowledge, or to translate an extended story into Latin.
Literature
One verse and one prose set text in studied in depth as in Year 12, with a requirement to study more of each text in translation. More sophisticated literary and contextual analysis is required than in Year 12, which provides a fantastic opportunity to explore the historical, political and social themes in more detail. There are two literature exams: prose and verse. In each paper students answer questions on both the Year 12 and Year 13 texts. Responses are expected to show a deeper understanding of the literary style and context of each text.
The set texts until 2026 are:
Prose
Year 13 Tacitus, Annals XIII. 1-5; 10-18; 45-46 (English); XIV. 1-13 (Latin).
We read about the early reign of the infamous Emperor Nero, especially his deteriorating relationship with his ‘overbearing’ mother.
Verse
Year 13 - Ovid Fasti 2 267–358, 685–852 English: Ovid, Fasti Book 2
In Ovid’s account of the Roman calendar and its festivals, students read about the Lupercalia (considered to be inspiration behind Valentine’s Day) and its bizarre public festivities!
