In S1 (Year 7) and S2 (Year 8) all boys study Latin for two periods a week. We follow the Cambridge Latin Course. One period is a classroom lesson and the other is held in the ICT suite so that full use can be made of the interactive eCLC and other online resources.
As well as its own language, structure and vocabulary we pay attention to the basis of Latin for English and other modern European languages.
The historical context of Latin is equally important. The setting of Pompeii allows us to explore classical civilisation in a variety of ways, e.g. Roman Comedy. Boys make their own masks and act out a simple comedy.
Other parts of the course are set in Roman Britain and Roman Egypt, which means we can explore how Roman imperial rule affected two very different regions.
The role of the Roman army in Britain is a topic for study in greater depth in S3 (Year9).
S3 (Year 9) pupils can join our Ancient Greek club held at lunchtime. They learn the Greek alphabet and how to read basic Greek idioms. They enjoy the word derivations the English language uses from Greek.
The Classics department tries to take advantage of any opportunities outside of the classroom which involve its subjects. In the past we have:
Birkdale School - Independent day school for boys 4-18, girls 4-7, co-educational Sixth Form
A Company Limited by Guarantee
Registered in England No. 2792166 Registered Charity No. 1018973
Registered Office: 4 Oakholme Road, Sheffield, S10 3DH
Telephone: 0114 266 8408
Fax: 0114 267 1947
