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Latin

In teaching Latin at Town Close, our principal aims are:

• To provide a challenging and stimulating linguistic and cultural learning experience.
  
  
• To promote an awareness of Classical civilisation and its relevance to the modern world.
  
  
• To develop the skills and attitudes necessary to facilitate further study in the subject.
  
  
• To develop the logical and analytical thought-processes which are aided by studying a classical language.

Latin is studied by approximately half the pupils in Years 5 to 8. In Year 5, we use the “Minimus" course materials, which provide an introduction to the language as well as reinforcing pupils’ knowledge of background and historical topics which relate to Rome and especially to Roman Britain.

From Year 6 onwards the programme of study reflects a more grammatical approach, as pupils work towards the Common Entrance and Scholarship examinations taken in Year 8. As well as studying the language at widely differing levels, pupils also study background topics: Daily Life in the Roman Empire; the City of Rome; the Army and Roman Britain, and Greek Mythology.

Pupils in Years 7 and 8 are able to use some sophisticated computer software to develop their grammatical and lexical understanding and enhance their translation skills, and they make regular use of the ICT suite and the portable tablet laptops.