Home » Leweston Seniors » Curriculum » Latin/Classical Studies

Latin/Classical Studies

In addition to involving a study of language, studying Latin and Greek also brings the pupils face to face with the culture, literature and history of the ancient world. Although academically challenging and therefore respected as a qualification, The classical languages also open up a comprehensive range of disciplines to train the mind. On a practical level studying Latin and Greek gives pupils a clearer understanding of the grammar of English and other modern languages and enriches their own vocabulary.

The Classics Department not only provides a rich experience of the ancient world outside the classroom but also maintains the highest academic standards within it. Following the Cambridge Latin Course, we regularly visit the Roman Palace at Fishbourne (Chichester) and the baths at Aquae Sulis (Bath). Travelling further afield we have spent a week in Pompeii (2006), taking in the atmosphere of the ancient town and visiting the Greek and Roman archaeological sites on the Bay of Naples. In 2007 our study visit was to Rome with its wealth of sites of Classical interest.

Theatre trips and lectures are also a staple of our programme. In April Year 7 and 8 girls had fun at the Bridgewater Arts Centre watching an updated production of Aristophanes' 'Birds' - 'Cloud cuckoo land', and then enjoyed a follow-up visit to school by some member of the cast to lead a workshop an the production. This September we look forward to another visit to school by the Somerset Museum Service: There's plenty of fun and knowledge to be acquired from handling real Roman artefacts.

At a more advanced level we attend host lectures of the Oxford University Classics Outreach programme. Senior girls have heard experts discuss a range of topics from slavery in the ancient world to the love poetry of Ovid and the epic verse of Virgil.

Our lively yet rigorous approach to Classics has rewarded us with a university success at the highest level. A Leweston Classicist who gained a place at Cambridge and who achieved one of the best firsts in her year has just completed her MPhil. She now looks forward to undertaking PhD. research at the university. This academic year we have an A Level student who has a conditional offer of a place to read Classics at Christchurch, Oxford.