Classics

Subject overview

Pupils who study the classical languages of Latin and Greek are uniquely able to gain direct access to the culture, history, literature and thought of civilisations which have inspired later generations. The languages are not easy, but Stonyhurst pupils have continually achieved excellent results: our pupils often enjoy the intellectual challenge! Pupils learn to read and appreciate original literature, engaging with cultures that have much in common with our own yet at the same time are very different.

Alongside the academic course, we also provide a strong co-curricular offer for pupils with an interest in the classical world. This may include opportunities such as enrichment sessions, reading groups, lectures, trips or other activities designed to support and extend pupils’ interest in Latin and the culture of the ancient world.

We believe that a tailored approach is often required to ensure that the course is suitable and that appropriate support and teaching arrangements can be put in place. It is important that we ensure this provision aligns with pupils’ next steps in education, whether this is returning to their home country to study, or moving onto study in Higher Line.

Where does Classics lead?

All courses help learners to develop skills and intellectual flexibility, which will be useful for a wide range of other subjects and careers: classicists are certainly not just found in academia, but in every industry, up to and including board level. Indeed, NASA sees the value of classical knowledge and training in understanding how to develop interfaces between humans and autonomous systems!

Curriculum

Key Stage 3 (Year 9)

At Stonyhurst, we use the new Suburani course, which retains academic rigour but uses digital learning tools and attractive graphics to present culturally-aware storylines. Pupils learn vocabulary and see the connections between Latin and modern European languages. Knowledge of grammar develops precision and an analytical approach to language generally. These skills in turn enable pupils to read sustained passages of Latin, thereby also learning about Roman culture and civilisation, and about the lives of ordinary human beings living in a very different time and place, but with much that is recognisable to us.

Pupils who have studied Latin throughout Key Stage 3 (years 7 and 8) can continue the course in year 9, but it is equally possible for pupils to begin Latin at this stage, in preparation for GCSE or as a one year language enrichment experience.

Greek is introduced alongside Latin for the most able linguists in Lower Grammar, further enhancing linguistic, analytical and communication skills and providing a rare opportunity for intellectual enrichment.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11)

Language skills and reading of stories based on classical history, culture and mythology continue seamlessly from KS3 to KS4.

There is one language paper at GCSE, comprising 50% of the total; this tests translation and comprehension skills from Latin / Greek into English.

Classical languages are unique at this level in introducing pupils to unadapted literature from celebrated authors such as Ovid, Cicero, Virgil, Herodotus, and Homer. Two papers test knowledge and literary appreciation of selections from prose and verse authors, prepared in advance. The majority of the Syntax year is devoted to preparation of these texts which in recent years have included an eyewitness account of the eruption of Vesuvius, stories about the childhood of Persian kings and scenes from the Aeneid or Odyssey.

GCSE Latin

The specification followed is OCR.

· Language paper: 1 hour 30 minutes (50% of the total GCSE).

· 2 Latin literature papers (1 prose and 1 verse author): 1 hour per paper (each 25%).

Read more about this course here.

GCSE Greek

The specification followed is OCR.

Language paper: 1 hour 30 minutes (50% of the total GCSE).
· 2 literature papers (1 prose author and 1 verse author): 1 hour exam per paper (each 25%).

Read more about this course here.

One Year Pre-IB GCSE

Pupils who have previously studied Latin and / or Greek are able to continue in the pre-IB year.

This will prepare them to study the language(s) in Higher Line at Stonyhurst or serve as a one year integrated course. This year will enable pupils to read a range of authors while further developing language skills.

Please see the GCSE tab for more information on course content.

A Level (sixth form)

The study of classical subjects assists in the development of good communication and analytical skills. All 3 A levels are respected by top universities as excellent preparation for higher study in a wide range of subjects (for example, appearing on LSE’s list of ‘preferred subjects’); employers equally value the subjects for the skills that they develop and as a sign of an individual who has made a less common choice of subjects to study.

The A level language courses build on progress made at GCSE or equivalent, maintaining the balance between language and literature; there are greater opportunities to read from a range of unadapted texts, including Cicero, Virgil, Catullus, Livy and Ovid in Latin, and Homer, Xenophon, Plato and the tragedians in Greek.

A level Classical Civilisation provides insight into the Greek and Roman worlds, engaging with great literature in translation, works of art, artefacts and archaeological sites. You will read the Odyssey and the Aeneid, learn about the importance of community and culture, and discuss the role of the gods and philosophy in human affairs; analysing literary and visual source materials and communicating your findings will help you to understand not just the Greek and Roman worlds but universal human issues.

Teachers in the department are always willing to encourage any particular interests pupils might have, from Greek mythology to Roman medicine. Sixth form pupils are able to attend talks by university lecturers in Manchester and online, and at Stonyhurst. Trips have included Rome, London and theatre performances; we have also invited visiting theatre companies to Stonyhurst. These enrichment opportunities often take place in conjunction with other subject areas. We are also fortunate to have access to the Stonyhurst Collections, with artefacts and texts available for closer study. The specifications followed for classical languages at Stonyhurst are: Latin (OCR H443) and Greek (OCR H444).

The structure for each language is the same, with two language and two literature examinations:

· Unseen Translation: 1 hour 45 minutes (33% of total A-Level).

· Prose Composition or Comprehension: 1 hour 15 minutes (17% of total A-Level).

· Prose Literature: 2 hours (25% of total A-Level).

· Verse Literature: 2 hours (25% of total A-Level). The specification for Classical Civilisation is OCR (H408) AS and A Level - Classical Civilisation - H008, H408 - OCR

There are 3 examinations:

· The world of the hero: 2 hours 30 minutes (40% of total A level)

· Culture and the arts: 1 hour 45 minutes (30% of total A level)

· Beliefs and ideas: 1 hour 45 minutes (30% of total A level)

IB Diploma (Sixth Form)

The study of classical languages assists in the development of good communication skills. Both languages are respected by top UK universities as excellent preparation for higher study in a wide range of subjects (for example, appearing on LSE’s list of ‘preferred subjects’); employers equally value the subjects for the skills that they develop and as a sign of an individual who has made a less common choice of subjects to study. The opportunity to study Greek is particularly rare.

The IB Diploma courses in Latin and Greek build on previous study of the language, at GCSE or equivalent standard. Study of language and literature continues, but is joined by an Internal Assessment component.

Teachers in the department are always willing to encourage any particular interests pupils might have, from Greek mythology to Roman medicine. Sixth form pupils are able to attend talks by university lecturers in Manchester and online, and at Stonyhurst’s Senior Essay Society. Trips have included Rome, London and theatre performances; we have also invited visiting theatre companies to Stonyhurst. These enrichment opportunities often take place in conjunction with other subject areas. We are also fortunate to have access to the Stonyhurst Collections, with artefacts and texts available for closer study.

Both Standard and Higher Levels test language and literature knowledge and understanding, and have coursework in the form of a Research Dossier. The new course, first examined in 2024, integrates all elements of study and has reduced the quantity of literature to be learned.

· Paper 1: unseen language comprehension and translation

SL - prose OR verse, 35% of total marks, 1 hour 30 examination

HL – prose AND verse, 30% of total marks, 2 hour examination

· Paper 2: prepared literature

SL study ONE core text of 350 lines / 1800 words and two companion texts of 125 lines / 700 words; 1 hour 30 examination, 35% of total marks

HL study TWO core texts and two companion texts; 1 hour 30 examination, 30% of total marks

· Coursework: identical task for SL and HL of a research dossier on any topic, presenting 7-9 primary sources with a 1,200 word discussion; 30% of total SL marks, 20% for HL

· Additional HL coursework: one 100-120 word original composition in Latin or Greek, with supporting rationale; the marks are primarily awarded for understanding how original authors choose to write, rather than for accuracy of the candidate’s own composition (20% of total marks)

Where do you want to go next?

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Classics

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