A-level Classical Civilisation students get to explore the ancient world through heroic tales, comic drama, Greek tragedy and art. You can hitch a ride with Homer’s Odysseus and Virgil’s Aeneas on their epic adventures as well as take front-row theatre seats to experience the drama and tragedy in plays by Aristophanes, Menander and Plautus, and Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides. Examining such ancient and classical civilisations reveals how Western culture, as we know it now, evolved particularly in literature, art, politics, philosophy and theatre. So this is a great course for those also studying English, Drama, Politics, Philosophy, Art and History of Art. Students on this course are encouraged to take advantage of what London has to offer to discover the ancient world through theatre, art and events including productions of ancient plays, British Museum visits as well as taking part in the annual Oxford and Cambridge Classics open days. A level of Classical Civilisation can be combined with other Arts, Humanities and Social Studies subjects such as English, History, Art or Psychology and offers students an excellent foundation for many university courses. Students of Classical Civilisation enjoy success in a huge variety of careers from journalism to accountancy, and from management to publishing. Students will study a selection of ancient texts and explore their literary, social and historical contexts as well as examine the techniques playwrights employ to create tragedy and comedy. AS-level students examine one epic poem and three plays (units 1 and 2). A-level students study two epic poems, three plays, and extracts from Sappho, Plato, Ovid and Seneca (units 3–4). Unit 1: Homer’s The Odyssey and Society Following the end of the Trojan War, Odysseus begins an epic adventure to return home. The sea-god Poseidon and a myriad of monsters relentlessly hound him on his ten-year journey only for him to find his homeland besieged by his wife Penelope’s suitors. Students will discuss Odysseus’ adventure and the context of society in Homer’s The Odyssey. Unit 2: Greek tragedy in its context Students explore plays by Sophocles and Euripides through text, screen or stage production and examine the literary, social and historical contexts as well as the tricks and techniques used to create dramatic effect. Unit 3: Love and Relationships How did the ancient world view love with all its ethical questions, its passions, frustrations and delights? Students will examine Greek and Roman society in the contrasting poetry of Sappho and Ovid, and the philosophy of Plato and Seneca. Unit 4: Virgil and the world of the hero Students get to experience the epic adventures in Virgil’s Aeneid and Homer’s Iliad and examine the world in which they are set and the role of the hero. The texts are read in translation.
Students who continue to Year 12 at Ashbourne are expected to be able to gain a minimum of 6 grades 6s (or equivalent) for their GCSE results and must have a determination to work towards their academic potential.
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Kensington and Chelsea |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £32,250 - £34,500 |
| Address | 17 Old Court Place, Kensington, London, W8 4PL |
A-level Classical Civilisation students get to explore the ancient world through heroic tales, comic drama, Greek tragedy and art. You can hitch a ride with Homer’s Odysseus and Virgil’s Aeneas on their epic adventures as well as take front-row theatre seats to experience the drama and tragedy in plays by Aristophanes, Menander and Plautus, and Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides. Examining such ancient and classical civilisations reveals how Western culture, as we know it now, evolved particularly in literature, art, politics, philosophy and theatre. So this is a great course for those also studying English, Drama, Politics, Philosophy, Art and History of Art. Students on this course are encouraged to take advantage of what London has to offer to discover the ancient world through theatre, art and events including productions of ancient plays, British Museum visits as well as taking part in the annual Oxford and Cambridge Classics open days. A level of Classical Civilisation can be combined with other Arts, Humanities and Social Studies subjects such as English, History, Art or Psychology and offers students an excellent foundation for many university courses. Students of Classical Civilisation enjoy success in a huge variety of careers from journalism to accountancy, and from management to publishing. Students will study a selection of ancient texts and explore their literary, social and historical contexts as well as examine the techniques playwrights employ to create tragedy and comedy. AS-level students examine one epic poem and three plays (units 1 and 2). A-level students study two epic poems, three plays, and extracts from Sappho, Plato, Ovid and Seneca (units 3–4). Unit 1: Homer’s The Odyssey and Society Following the end of the Trojan War, Odysseus begins an epic adventure to return home. The sea-god Poseidon and a myriad of monsters relentlessly hound him on his ten-year journey only for him to find his homeland besieged by his wife Penelope’s suitors. Students will discuss Odysseus’ adventure and the context of society in Homer’s The Odyssey. Unit 2: Greek tragedy in its context Students explore plays by Sophocles and Euripides through text, screen or stage production and examine the literary, social and historical contexts as well as the tricks and techniques used to create dramatic effect. Unit 3: Love and Relationships How did the ancient world view love with all its ethical questions, its passions, frustrations and delights? Students will examine Greek and Roman society in the contrasting poetry of Sappho and Ovid, and the philosophy of Plato and Seneca. Unit 4: Virgil and the world of the hero Students get to experience the epic adventures in Virgil’s Aeneid and Homer’s Iliad and examine the world in which they are set and the role of the hero. The texts are read in translation.
Students who continue to Year 12 at Ashbourne are expected to be able to gain a minimum of 6 grades 6s (or equivalent) for their GCSE results and must have a determination to work towards their academic potential.