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Teaching Latin

Latin is an optional subject at Common Entrance and Scholarship but it is a subject that sets your child apart and proves that they have had a sound and well rounded education.

The teaching of Classical subjects has changed enormously over the past few years. Of course grammar and vocabulary have to be learnt, and learnt well, but this hard work is alternated with studying background topics; how the Romans lived and the wonderfully twisting and sometimes gory tales of the Greek myths. We might enact scenes from the life of Hercules, write a diary of the life of Jason or make a cartoon strip about how Perseus rid the world of the Gorgon Medusa and rescued the fair Andromeda.. 

At Feltonfleet we aim to give your child a sound linguistic understanding of Latin to enable them to read Latin stories with ease and confidence. We aim to give them a sound understanding of the culture within which such a language developed, to give them a wider context in which to set their linguistic studies.

Latin, especially at a higher level, is not easy; it is a challenge but when it is mastered, can give a huge sense of satisfaction.

The Curriculum

Year 5: All pupils in Year 5 study Latin. We use the modern and popular ‘Minimus – Starting out in Latin’ course. This course tells the story of a mouse living in the villa of a Roman family on Hadrian’s wall. Background topics revisit and expand upon topics covered in Year 4 History, while the Latin stories tell us about the lives of the mouse and his family. By the end of the year the children can read simple sentences and understand basic grammatical concepts.

 Year 6: Pupils are now set for Latin (or Spanish). We continue with ‘Minimus Secundus’ which follows the same family we learnt about in Year 5. The stories are now more complex and more advanced grammatical topics are addressed. Vocabulary is learnt on a regular basis The children will study Greek myths and a variety of Roman life topics which form a foundation for the requirements of the common Entrance syllabus.

 Year 7: Pupils begin to study the formal Common Entrance syllabus using Ab Initio. CE vocabulary is learnt regularly. By the end of the year they will have a sound grasp of CE requirements. Towards the end of Year 7 pupils wishing to attempt academic scholarships are given extension plans to support their individual needs. During Year 7 pupils produce an extended project on the Trojan War and Odysseus and an ICT based project on Roman Life. 

Year 8: In Year 8 exam preparation is finalised. Children can sit a variety of levels of paper depending on ability and entrance requirements: Common Entrance Level 1, 2 or 3, or Common Academic Scholarship, or the scholarship to their chosen school.

Greek

We offer Greek as part of the extracurricular programme to children in the senior part of the school. It also forms part of extension work for the more able pupils in Year 7 and 8. Children who sit exams to their chosen schools fairly early in the year can take up Greek and offer it as an extra CE subject in the summer. In recent years our pupils have achieved a good deal of success at CE Level 1 and a few have chosen to offer Greek as part of their academic scholarships to Public schools.

Classics and ICT

ICT is an integral part of Classics teaching.  All classes regularly work on the laptops; researching myths or Roman Life topics and presenting their findings, or practising vocabulary and grammar.  The department possesses a wide range of up to date software.

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