CLASSICS

Pupils begin Latin in Year 5, and lesson allocations are as follows:

Year 5: 2 lessons per week
Year 6: 3 lessons per week and 1 prep
Years 7 & 8: 4 lessons/week and 1 prep

Ancient Greek is available within the Activities timetable for able Latinists.

AIMS

The Departments aims are two-fold. The first is focused upon pupils’ academic achievement as a whole. We believe that the academic study of Latin is a vital part of a child’s education, giving the opportunity to learn skills of analysis and reasoning, as well as an understanding of the debt our society owes to classical culture. The second is focused upon Common Entrance and Scholarship in Year 8. We aim to ensure that every pupil studying Latin has the opportunity to demonstrate skill in Latin to their future schools, at whatever level is most appropriate for them.

The Department aims to be as inclusive as possible. Although Latin is not compulsory at Common Entrance, we take the view that it should be available for all pupils unless there are pressing reasons why they should not study it. Ideally, pupils should begin Latin in Year 5, but it is possible for pupils to begin studying the subject at the beginning of Year 6, and able and well-motivated pupils have successfully started the language in Year 7.

SCHEME OF WORK

A summary of the scheme of work is as follows:

1. In Year 5 we aim to offer a gentle introduction to the language – concentrating on basic grammatical structure in English as much as in Latin.
2. In Years 6 and 7 we aim to cover the first two levels of the Common Entrance syllabus.
3. In Year 8 we cover the syllabus for Level 3 in the Autumn Term, with the intention that CE candidates can then select the appropriate CE Level for their final exam and that potential scholars can move on to the Scholarship syllabus in January.

In each year topics from classical culture and mythology are woven into the language learning. In Year 8 the focus for Common Entrance is on the Greek Myths prescribed in the syllabus.

In Years 6 and 7 most preps are written, although there will sometimes be specific grammar or vocabulary to learn. In Year 8 for the first two terms there will be a vocabulary revision programme, with prep time allocated for some of the learning - although more will need to be done in pupils' spare time.

The details for Y8 Vocabulary tests are here.

WORK FOR THOSE MISSING LESSONS

Although pupils would probably not agree, there is always vocabulary to learn. All pupils ought to have their vocabulary book and grammar book with them. Use them to keep up with the vocabulary programme, revise those words learned already, and revise the appropriate grammar - especially noun and verb endings.

USEFUL LINKS

• There is a good electronic Latin Dictionary to be found here. You can either use it online or download the program for your own computer.
• Everyone likes Greek Mythology. If you want to find out more about the myths we study in school, then try Theoi, Encyclopedia Mythica or the Greek Mythology Link.
• The Latin course we use is called Ab Initio, and it is published by Galore Park. St Aubyns has its own Latin Grammar - you can buy a copy or download it as a .pdf for free by clicking here.
• Many schools use the Cambridge Latin Course. Although we do not use it, the website has a great deal of useful and interesting information and activities. You can find it here.
• Finally, if you are finding the news in English depressing, then try the news in Latin instead.