Course information
Latin
Harrow School - Harrow
02088728000
5 High Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill, HA1 3HP
Course summary

Classical subjects have always been central to the study of the humanities. Latin is a vibrant, intellectually stimulating and rigorous discipline that works well in combination with almost any other A-level. It provides a solid, arguably even essential, foundation for any Humanities degree. As well as providing the key to an unsurpassed treasury of literature, history and philosophy, Latin has the very practical and, ultimately, highly employable benefit of producing thinkers, enquirers, creators and problem solvers, skills that are greatly valued by university admissions tutors and graduate employers alike. Boys who excelled in and enjoyed Latin GCSE will have all the skills to make a successful start to the study of Latin at A-level. The two-year course in Latin caters both for those who enjoy the nuance of expression as well as those who relish the code-breaking logic of an inflected language. It will allow them to express their thoughts on an enormously influential corpus of Latin literature. Boys will learn how to think logically and analytically while deepening their understanding of their own culture. The Classics Department takes a dynamic approach to A-level study, regularly offering Oxbridge open days, seminars, theatre and museum trips and study tours abroad. Sixth Formers will be able to take advantage of the excellent book collection in the Deno Leventis Library, a space that is also used for seminars and text readings. For Lower Sixth Latin lessons, we are joined by English and Italian students from St Dominic’s Sixth Form College. There is a vibrant culture of scholarship within the department, and several beaks are engaged in their academic research projects. As a result, the Classical Society is an energetic and innovative department, and we meet regularly to hear boys, beaks and external speakers present on areas of personal interest. There are numerous academic prizes in the Classics Department, among which are the Oxenham Latin Reading Competitions, several Cambridge and Oxford Prize Essay competitions to enter, and the jewel in the crown, the Plumptre Scholarship; this prize is only offered to Sixth Form classicists and gives them the chance to compete in a series of prestigious academic prizes for Latin translation and composition, which are adjudicated by an Oxbridge don. The A-level in Latin aims for candidates to: • acquire the language and literary skills to read texts in the original language; • apply analytical and evaluative skills to original texts in Latin; • develop an interest in and enthusiasm for the literary, historical and cultural features of the ancient world; • make an informed personal response to literature; • develop a sensitive and analytical approach to language generally; and • develop the research and analytical

Entry requirements

GCSE requirement: Latin grade 8

How you'll be assessed

Paper One Unseen translation (33%) Boys will translate one passage of unseen Latin prose (taken from Livy) and one passage of unseen Latin verse (taken from Ovid) into English. Paper Two Prose composition or comprehension (17%) Boys will either answer comprehension and grammar questions on an unseen passage of Latin prose (taken from Livy) or translate a short passage of English prose into Latin. The composition is an enjoyable option, as it provides great intellectual satisfaction, and preparation for this discipline has proved very popular. Paper Three Prose literature (25%) The boys will study two Latin prose set texts. They will also study additional literature in translation to understand the context from which the set texts have been taken. The set text for 2025 will be Tacitus Annals XII and Annals XIV. Paper Four Verse Literature (25%) Boys will study two selections of Latin verse for their set text. They will also study additional literature in translation to understand the context from which the set texts have been taken. The set text for 2025 will be Virgil Aeneid II.

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionLondon
Local AuthorityHarrow
Ofsted Rating
Gender TypeBoys
ISI ReportView Report
Boarding FeeUnknown
Sixth Form Fee£50,550
Address5 High Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill, HA1 3HP