Latin

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