Classics
Mr H Biggs MA (Oxon)
Head of Classics
hbiggs@colfes.com
Classics opens doors. A study of Roman and Greek language and culture is a gateway into an ancient world both strikingly familiar and shockingly alien to our 21st-century minds. But it is also much more than that, since any study of the classical past prompts us to think afresh about our own society and values. Much of what the Romans and Greeks created – their art, drama, political systems, buildings, and much more – remains central to our lives today, and the languages of Latin and Classical Greek are mother-tongues for modern European languages. To study a classical subject is also to study ourselves.
The Classics Department provides three ways in to this ancient past. Latin is offered throughout the school for Years 7-13, Classical Greek is an option from Year 9 and is taught off-timetable in Year 10, and Classical Civilisation is available at both GCSE and A-level. All three subjects provide a rigorous and broad academic syllabus.
All pupils study Latin in Years 7 and 8. The focus of the course is primarily linguistic, as we explore the key grammar concepts and meet vocabulary which shows links to English, Spanish, French and many other modern languages; we also aim to put this language study in context by studying cultural topics such as Roman mythology and the revolt of Boudicca. Roughly half of the year group opt to continue with Latin into Year 9, where foundations are laid for the GCSE course. In Years 10 & 11 we follow the Eduqas course, which blends language, literature and cultural study. In our language lessons we use Latin to GCSE, a textbook co-authored by a former Head of Department. In a typical year between 20-30 students sit the GCSE.
In Year 9 Classical Greek is offered as an additional subject alongside Latin to extend keen linguists and introduce them to the society and culture of ancient Greece. Depending on interest it is then possible for students to study Classical Greek off-timetable in Year 10 and sit the Intermediate Certificate in Classical Greek at the end of the year.
In Years 10 & 11 Classical Civilisation is offered as a GCSE option (OCR). Students will spend the first year exploring Myth and Religion, a unit which covers a huge amount of mythology, religion, literature and art, to evaluate fully the various myths and rituals surrounding Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. In the second year, students will examine War and Warfare, a unit which looks in detail at the military systems and tactics of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome as well as the interplay between war, politics and society. This course is taught entirely in English with no requirement for either Latin or Classical Greek, making it an accessible and popular choice!
In the Sixth Form both Latin and Classical Civilisation are offered as A-level options (OCR). Latin A-level combines more advanced language study with detailed examination of prime selections of classical literature (e.g. the epic poetry of Virgil or the histories of Tacitus and Livy).
Classical Civilisation A-level provides a broad study of the ancient world through its literature (studied in English translation) and material and visual culture. Topics are very diverse: they include Greek and Roman epic poems, a study of how the emperor Augustus used his image and propaganda to control the Roman empire and an exploration of the origins, advantages and disadvantages of Athenian democracy. A-level students regularly go on to study classical subjects at university, and several have received Oxbridge offers in recent years.
In addition to all of the above, the department is keen to get students out of the classroom on visits, study days and overseas trips – for example Rome and the Bay of Naples, Greece and London which is, of course, a Roman city and we take advantage of its remains and world-leading museums.
Finally, we also run a Partnerships programme where we encourage students from local comprehensive schools to learn Latin here at Colfe’s after school. These students go on to sit a WJEC Level 1 Certificate in Latin and many of them will then apply to join Colfe’s in the Sixth Form.
A-level course details: