Classics
The enthusiasm and passion of the Classics Department is evident in everything we do. The study of Latin, Greek, and Classical Civilisation gives our students access to a world that is distant in time, but inextricably linked to their own. Through Classics, students gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the modern world by developing their knowledge of its roots in ancient history, language, and culture.
Students directly encounter the Greeks and Romans in their own words through their study of Latin and Greek. These ancient languages are two of the key constituents of the English language, and they are part of a language family that stretches across the world. The linguistic concepts our students encounter in Classics are essential to both their own language and that of their peers around the globe.
Classical Civilisation provides access to the ancient world through the study of the literature, politics, art, and philosophy of ancient Greece and Rome with all sources studied in English. Students encounter a wide range of source material, whilst developing a sophisticated understanding of the cultural context of the ancient world. Classical Civilisation offers students the opportunity to expand their cultural capital whilst promoting the sensitive study of cultures with very different values from our own.
Department team
Mr S. Broadbent - Head of Classics and Digital Strategy Lead
Miss R. Aczel - Teacher of Classics and EPQ Lead
Dr I. Ross - Teacher of Classics and English
Mr A. Livingston - Teacher of Classics, and Assistant Head (Curriculum Manager)
Classics Curriculum at a glance:
All students study Latin in Year 7, Year 8, and Year 9. Classical Greek is available as an optional subject in Year 8 and Year 9, with around a third of students choosing it every year. Both Latin and Classical Greek are options at GCSE and A level, and uptake compares favourably with national averages across both state and independent schools. Classical Civilisation is a very popular option at A level and enables students with no prior experience of Latin or Classical Greek to study some of the most fascinating and relevant aspects of the ancient world. Our students achieve excellent results and regularly gain places to study Classics at university, including at Oxford and Cambridge.
Latin
Key Stage 3
Our curriculum provides students with a strong foundation in the Latin language. We use the Hands up Education ‘Suburani’ course, which offers an engaging narrative with a rich and diverse range of characters. In this way, students learn new language features alongside developing their understanding of Roman culture and history.
Key Stage 4
We follow the OCR GCSE Latin course, for which there are three separate examination papers: Language, Prose Literature, and Verse Literature. Students continue to use the ‘Suburani’ course as they develop their language skills. The literature texts set by the exam board change every two years.
Key Stage 5
We follow the OCR A level Latin course, for which there are four separate examination papers: Unseen translation, Prose composition, Prose Literature, and Verse Literature. Students deepen their knowledge of the Latin language and broaden their understanding of the Roman world by reading original texts on themes such as love, the environment, migration, and power. The literature texts set by the exam board change every two years.
Please see the links below for a more detailed overview of the Latin curriculum.
Classical Greek
Key Stage 3
Students build upon their knowledge of Latin and explore the fascinating world of ancient Greece. We use John Taylor’s Greek to GCSE Book 1 and Book 2, supplementing widely with our own resources. Students study not only the Classical Greek language but also the wider world of the ancient Greeks, stretching from Italy in the west to Mesopotamia and India in the east.
Key Stage 4
We follow the OCR GCSE Classical Greek course, for which there are three separate examination papers: Language, Prose Literature, and Verse Literature. Students continue to use the Greek to GCSE course as they develop their language skills. The literature texts set by the exam board change every two years.
Key Stage 5
We follow the OCR A Level Classical Greek course, for which there are four separate examination papers: Unseen translation, Prose composition, Prose Literature, and Verse Literature. We use the Greek Beyond GCSE course for unseen translation and Writing Greek for prose composition, as well as a wide range of other resources. The literature texts set by the exam board change every two years.
Please see the links below for a more detailed overview of the Classical Greek curriculum.
Classical Civilisation
Key Stage 5
A level
We follow the OCR A level Classical Civilisation course from which we teach the World of the Hero, Imperial Image, and Love and Relationships units, each of which is examined separately. Students engage with a broad range of source material across these three very different topics including coins, poetry, sculpture, and architecture. No prior knowledge of the ancient world is required to study A level Classical Civilisation at CRGS and students without past experience of studying a Classical subject regularly succeed in achieving the highest grades.
Please see the links below for a more detailed overview of the Classical Civilisation curriculum.
Enrichment and Support
The Classics Department offers regular trips to Greece and Italy alongside visits to classical attractions closer to home, such as the British Museum and Colchester’s many Roman landmarks. We attend theatrical productions of Greek and Roman plays, both in English and the original language. A thriving student-led Classics Society hosts weekly activities including talks on classical subjects, games, and quizzes.
Classics Clinic runs at lunch time once a week, at which students can access support from a Classics teacher.
Our Sixth Form Classicists also offer one-to-one sessions for students in need of additional support.
