Latin has traditionally had a place on the School curriculum for its rigour, for the mental training that it gives, and for its useful links with other subjects, but primarily we study Latin for the wonderful opportunity to read some of the world’s most moving and insightful literature which is at the root of Western culture. We aim to teach the subject with the passion, sensitivity and intellectual excellence that are at the centre of the subject itself.

The Latin course at Kingswood starts in Year 9 and there are places for 24 pupils on it. We follow the Cambridge Latin Course at a pace and the pupils enjoy the challenge and academic rigour that is required of them. The focus is on language learning and includes regular vocabulary tests, as well as learning Latin grammar and syntax, more by becoming familiar with the patterns of Latin sentences through reading lots of stories, than the more abstract method of learning grammar by rote. Pupils also love learning about the Ancient World and gain great insight into the culture of the Ancient Romans, whose society and literature had so much influence over our own.

In Year 9, all those pupils not studying Latin are given the opportunity to take a one year course in Classical Civilisation.

In Year 11 pupils have the opportunity to read real Latin authors, usually letters by the Younger Pliny, which provides fascinating insight into aspects of Roman history such as slavery and the destruction of Pompei, and some Latin verse, usually an extract from Virgil’s magnificent epic poem, The Aeneid. The GCSE course is made up half of language learning, which is tested by unprepared translation, and half of literature, which is translated and discussed in lessons and then examined by comprehension questions.

At A Level pupils read widely from Latin authors and learn to translate increasingly complex Latin. Again, half of the marks in the examinations are won from translating previously unseen passages and half from prepared works of prose and verse literature. Students’ individual study will involve preparing passages to translate in class, writing critical commentaries on these passages, learning vocabulary and attempting unseen translations without dictionaries. We always begin the Lower Sixth year with a thorough revision of grammar and syntax, adopting a more traditional method which ensures a thorough linguistic grounding before we look at more complex texts.

As well as linguistic study, we touch on aspects of philosophy, religion, history, geography, politics and aesthetics and our pupils often find their studies in Latin helpful in other subjects.