Classics Department

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

Mr Richard Waddington

Our boys first study the ancient world in Y3 History as part of the National Curriculum Invaders and Settlers topic which focuses on the impact of the Romans upon Britain during their 400 year occupation. Their understanding is enriched through a visit to Verulamium (Roman St. Albans) where the children explore an award winning museum, handle Roman artefacts and learn how to dress as Romans.

All our boys begin studying Latin in Year 4, using the media acclaimed Minimus course which stars the famous Roman mouse of the same name. The boys deepen their knowledge of language and history through using Latin word games, cartoon format narratives, Greek myths and the historical setting of Vindolanda on Hadrian’s Wall. Since over half of English words are derived from Latin, the boys build up their everyday vocabularies. Languages such as French borrow heavily from Latin. Year 4 boys also study the Greeks in their History lessons which provides cross curricular support while they begin Classics as a separate subject on the timetable. The boys enjoy a visit to the school by Legio XIIII, dressed and armed as hoplites and hear a Greek slave girl talk about Greek culture.

Our Year 5 and Year 6 boys use the Cambridge Latin Course. Here they meet a real Roman family who lived in Pompeii, famously destroyed by the volcano Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. Through meeting Caecilius, Quintus, Metella and others, the boys develop their appreciation of the Roman society which has defined many aspects of our culture. They also begin to develop a much stronger grasp of the grammar rules governing languages. They are encouraged to problem solve, prioritise and think systematically as they encounter challenging linguistic puzzles. In the information age, where we are confronted by endless amounts of data, the ability to think deductively and logically is essential. Our studies are fully supported through the use of the course DVD in the classroom on the interactive whiteboard. Here the boys have access to the internet and course documentaries (by experts on Pompeii). They can also see stories from their books acted out on screen! The DVD is available to the boys in the ICT suites where they can carry out individual extended learning. Year 5 boys revisit Verulamium to reinforce their existing learning and to extend their knowledge to include the theatre, hypocaust and city walls. Year 6 boys are visited by Legio XIIII who teach them about Roman daily life and the training, tactics and equipment of Roman legionaries.

In Key Stage 3, the boys use the Disce Latinum course to prepare for public examinations to their senior schools. Each boy has his own vademecum, a handbook, written by the Head of Classics, and provided by the school. This provides a useful summary of the grammar, syntax and vocabulary required at entrance and scholarship. Scholars also begin Greek using the Marina course, written by the Head of Classics, and provided by the school. In doing so, they deepen their understanding of Latin, learn how to use a different alphabet and advertise themselves as candidates with a wider range of experiences. Entrance candidates learn Greek after the public examinations in the spring and offer it successfully at Common Entrance in the summer. Every two years, the Classicists in Year 7 and 8 combine and travel as one group to Aquae Sulis (Roman Bath) to visit the museum and baths.

Our boys have also travelled to Rome and Pompeii as a school group to experience these sites for themselves, the last occasion being 2002.

Photo: NP took 40 Senior School boys to Rome and Pompeii to experience at first hand some of the archaeological sites of the Roman Empire.