Latin Club

Latin is offered as an extra curricular subject.  The course begins in Year 9, when pupils are given one lesson a week as a gentle introduction (as near to a “club' as possible); in Years 10 and 11, two and three lessons respectively a week are provided.  These lead to a GCSE, awarded by OCR, at the end of Year 11.

 

To avoid clashes with other activities and to ensure continuity of learning, Latin lessons take place before school, beginning at 0800 hours.  Extra help may sometimes be given during lunchtimes or after school.

 

The Cambridge Latin Course is followed.  This involves translation from Latin (unseens and comprehension), an extended essay of 2,000 words (in English!) on some aspect of Roman history (i.e. coursework) and study of some Latin literature (translations are provided).  The rough draft of the coursework is completed during the summer vacation between Years 10 and 11.  It is important to stress that at no time is a pupil required to translate into Latin in the GCSE examination; nor is (s)he expected to undertake oral work.

 

As an additional GCSE subject, it obviously requires additional “prep'.  However, the extra effort and time are very worthwhile!  Any pupil hoping to study, for example, English, History, Law, Languages, to name but four, would find some knowledge of Latin extremely useful.

 

In spite of the demands, we do try to make lessons fun, in keeping with a “club' – there is some degree of informality.

 

Mr. Andrew Munn (Room 2) is always pleased to answer questions any pupils or their parents have.  It is strongly advised that pupils do start the course at the beginning of Year 9 as far as is possible.