The aim of Classics teaching at all levels at KGS is to foster a lifelong interest in and love of the Classics. The study of Latin and Classical Greek enables students to understand how languages work and will improve not only their English but also other modern languages, while being a rigorous and fulfilling study in its own right. Ancient History and Civilisation
offers a fascinating insight into the minds, philosophy, politics and cultures which have arguably influenced Western culture more than any other.
Latin is compulsory for all students in the First and Second Year. We study the Cambridge Latin Course, which follows Quintus, his family and friends through their adventures in Pompeii, Roman Britain, Egypt and Rome itself.
Carpe diem
Horace
The course combines language teaching using e-resources and online activities with a creative approach to studying Roman history and society. Students can often be found acting out sketches from the textbook, producing news reports on the eruption of Vesuvius or filming trailers for the latest myth-inspired blockbuster.
GCSE and A Level Latin and Greek
Classical Greek is offered from Third Year to those students in the top Latin set. At GCSE and A Level students combine their study of the languages with reading ancient texts. Written by some of the most famous names in Classical literature, such as Homer, Virgil, Herodotus and Cicero, these texts allow students to immerse themselves in the world of the ancients.
Latin Classical Greek A Level course guide
A Level Classical Civilisation
The A Level Ancient History and Civilisation course combines a study of epic literature, Greek theatre and Roman politics, all in English. Here students follow Aeneas as he rises like a phoenix from the ashes of Troy to become the first Roman hero; they see Oedipus and Pentheus prove that crossing the gods results in agonising consequences, contrasted with the gentle ‘brekekekax, koax, koax’ of the Frog chorus; and they unravel the complicated web of Roman politics towards the end of the Republic.
Ancient History and Civilisation A Level course guide
Co-Curricular
The Junior Classics Club meets weekly and can usually be seen performing plays, producing theatrical masks or making Greek vases.
The Senior Classical Society regularly sees students soaking up the atmosphere on museum and gallery visits or experiencing the cathartic effects of the theatre. The jewel in the Classics crown is the annual Senior Classical Society Dinner which sees us joined each year by one of the big-hitters in the world of Classics, such as Natalie Haynes, John Taylor and Caroline Lawrence, for an evening of intellectual frivolity and Classical fun.
Outside the classroom, the exposure to the ancient world continues through visits to classical sites, both at home and abroad. Last year saw students climbing Vesuvius, walking the streets of Pompeii and exploring the Colosseum.
Classics Information Booklet
Staff
- Head of Classics, Ms L Andrew
- Assistant Director of Studies and Head of Academic Scholars, Mrs E Pytel
- Miss V Paterson; Teacher of Classics, Head of Community Service
