CURRICULUM
Latin
Latin Team
Miss M Reeve – Latin Excellence Programme Coordinator
Intent
The intent of our Latin curriculum at Key Stage 3 and GCSE is to cultivate a deep understanding of language, culture, and history through the study of the ancient world. Latin provides students with a foundation for linguistic precision, analytical thinking, and cultural literacy, enriching their broader learning across the curriculum.
At Key Stage 3, our curriculum introduces students to the structure and logic of the Latin language, enabling them to recognise patterns, build vocabulary, and make meaningful connections between Latin and English (as well as other modern languages). Students also explore aspects of Roman civilisation and mythology, fostering curiosity about how ancient societies have shaped the modern world.
At GCSE, students build on this foundation to achieve mastery of linguistic detail and literary analysis. They develop the ability to translate and comprehend increasingly complex Latin texts and engage critically with authentic sources, deepening their appreciation of Roman literature, history, and values.
Across both key stages, our Latin curriculum aims to:
- Develop precise linguistic understanding through systematic study of grammar and syntax.
- Strengthen literacy and vocabulary by exploring Latin’s influence on English and other modern languages.
- Encourage logical reasoning, problem-solving, and intellectual discipline.
- Foster a love of classical literature, history, and culture.
- Build cultural awareness and an understanding of the enduring legacy of the ancient world.
Through the study of Latin, students gain not only language skills but also the cultural insight, analytical ability, and intellectual curiosity that prepare them for success in further study and beyond.
Key Concepts
What are the key concepts that have to be mastered for pupils to be successful in this subject?
- Linguistic Knowledge and Understanding
- Grammar and Syntax: Understanding the function of nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, and prepositions within Latin sentences.
- Accidence: Mastery of noun declensions, adjective agreements, and verb conjugations (tenses, voices, moods).
- Sentence Structure: Recognising and analysing word order, subordinate clauses, and complex sentence patterns.
- Vocabulary: Building a broad and secure vocabulary base, including common roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
- Translation Skills: Applying grammatical and contextual understanding to translate Latin into accurate and fluent English.
- Comprehension Skills: Extracting meaning from unseen or adapted Latin texts through careful analysis.
- Derivations and Etymology: Making links between Latin words and English (and other Romance languages) to deepen linguistic awareness.
- Literary and Cultural Understanding
- Classical Literature: Appreciating the style, themes, and context of authentic Latin texts (e.g. prose and verse).
- Historical Context: Understanding the key features of Roman society, government, and daily life.
- Mythology and Beliefs: Exploring myths, religion, and moral values in the ancient world.
- Civilisation Studies: Investigating Roman achievements in architecture, art, politics, and technology.
- Cultural Connections: Drawing comparisons between ancient and modern societies, and recognising Rome’s legacy today.
- Analytical and Cognitive Skills
- Problem-Solving: Applying logical reasoning to decode complex grammatical structures.
- Critical Thinking: Interpreting literary and historical evidence with precision and judgement.
- Attention to Detail: Maintaining accuracy in translation, parsing, and interpretation.
- Memory and Recall: Retaining vocabulary and grammatical forms to support fluency and confidence.
- Independent Learning: Developing resilience and self-discipline in tackling challenging texts.
Key Stage 3
Our Key Stage 3 curriculum begins in Year 9. Students take part in one two-hour, after-school session per week, in which they are guided through a series of grammar, translation and civilisation lessons. Our lead teacher delivers an engaging curriculum, which enables pupils to master the key knowledge and skills needed to thrive at Key Stage 4 and beyond.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4, students take part in five one-hour lessons per fortnight, in which they prepare for their Eduqas GCSE examinations. Three components (Latin Language, Latin Literature and Roman Civilisation) are split across Year 10 and 11: in Year 10, students are taught the key knowledge for Latin Language and Roman Civilisation; in Year 11, students are taught the key knowledge for Latin Language & Literature & Sources.
