Classics

QUOD PRIMUM QUOQUE OPTIMUM (What's first is also best)

Our overall programme is, in the junior curriculum, to complement other language and humanities subjects by teaching communication skills and an understanding of western culture; in the Fifth and Sixth forms also to acquaint pupils with major European authors of the classical period.

All girls in the UIII learn Latin. Most are beginners; extra work is provided for those who already have some knowledge of the language. No beginners’ classes are offered above this level and new girls at any other stage are required to have reached the right point of knowledge to join the year group.

In the LIV, in addition to Latin, girls also have an opportunity to start Ancient Greek. There are usually 4 divisions of Latin by ability and 1 Greek class of about 12 girls.

In the UIV Latin is an optional subject. There are 4 divisions by ability at this level, accommodating both the previous year group and new 13+ entrants from other schools. One division may be composed of girls with more advanced knowledge of Latin, following a more broadly based course with opportunities for extension work, in particular English-Latin composition. Sometimes a second Greek class is similarly provided to meet the needs of more advanced pupils.

In the LV between 30 and 40 girls (over one third of the year group) choose Latin as a GCSE choice and most girls in the Greek class usually continue to GCSE. There are normally two Latin divisions at this level.

Girls continue with their choices to GCSE in the UV, remaining in the same divisions as the previous year.

At Sixth Form level, Latin, Greek and Classical Civilization are offered at AS and A2 level. There is usually one class in each subject, but a second Latin class may be provided when the uptake is very large, as is the case in 2008-9. Each subject has eight timetabled periods for AS and A2 level. However, it is school policy that very small teaching groups for any subject have a reduced timetable allocation and this has occasionally been the case for Greek.

AIMS AND PHILOSOPHY

The general philosophy of the Classics Department is that all our pupils should have the opportunity to gain some acquaintance with Latin, whether they study it to an elementary or to a more advanced level. Latin was the language of the educated western world for over a millennium and a half, a fact that has had an enormous influence on the English language and on English literature. Greek should be offered in addition, since our cultural debt to Athens is greater than to any other city. We believe, too, that the study of classical grammar develops the habit of disciplined, analytical thinking and sets a standard of precision.

We aim to encourage in all girls an understanding of the customs and historical significance of Greek and Roman civilization, an awareness of the influence of classical languages and literature on our own civilization, and a sensitive and analytical approach to language generally. We particularly emphasise the connections between the classical languages and the Romance languages descended from them. We believe that Classical antiquity as a whole continues to provide a valuable framework of reference and is an important European dimension to studies in an English school.

We aim to teach Classics in an interesting and challenging manner and to stimulate and foster enthusiasm for the subject within the school. To this end we deliver lessons using a variety of techniques and a range of resources.  These have been increased and facilitated now that we have moved into the dedicated Classics suite in the school’s new teaching block.

Extra Curricular

We regularly undertake extra-curricular activities such as expeditions to archaeological sites and museums, theatre trips to Greek plays, and Classics events organised by universities or other schools; selected pupils also take part in Latin and Greek reading competitions, frequently carrying off the top prizes. From time to time visits are arranged to classical lands.  Within school there are regular meetings of the Classical Society to hear lectures by visiting speakers or for social events with other schools such as Eton and Harrow; there is also a flourishing Socratic Society.

Head of Department; three other full-time; one part-time

Course books

The Cambridge Latin Course is used as the standard Latin teaching course in the School. In the UV a variety of grammar books and readers is used, along with past GCSE papers and the prescribed GCSE texts.

Our own Wycombe Abbey Greek course book is used up to GCSE in conjunction with ‘Greek to GCSE’ by John Taylor. In the Fifth Form various other grammar books may be used, along with past GCSE papers and the prescribed GCSE texts.

 Pupil comments

'Learning Latin helps you to say what you mean and understand what you hear.'

'Greek isn’t work, it’s a treat.'