The Classics Department believes that the study of ancient languages and civilisations provides a highly important and stimulating basis for the academic development of every pupil at St Bees School.
Specific Aims and Objectives- To develop each individual pupil’s knowledge and understanding of ancient language.
- To develop and assist each individual pupil’s grasp of not only English, but also modern Romance languages studied within the curriculum.
- To develop each individual pupil’s knowledge and understanding of ancient civilisation and culture, especially their social, religious and political beliefs and practices.
- To develop awareness of the similarities and differences between the Classical world and later times.
- To develop and apply critical and evaluative skills to all manner of topics, including language, literature, history, philosophy and archaeology.
- To create, nurture and develop a love and appreciation of the languages, literature, history and cultures of Classical Greece and Rome.
To enable each individual pupil studying under the auspices of this department to fulfil their academic potential.
The Department uses the Cambridge Latin Course as a basis for studying Latin. All examinations are taken with the Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examination Board (OCR).
A-Level
Lower 6 AS
A prose text (Cicero's In Catilinam); a verse text (book VIII of Ovid's Metamorphoses); commentaries; short essays; unseen translation from Latin.
Upper 6 A2
Two set texts (selected poems by Catullus; book XIV of Tacitus' Annals); unseen translation into and out of Latin.
Additional
Wherever possible, classroom teaching is supplemented by visits to museums, archaeological sites, theatre and lecture trips and excursions abroad.