Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation
Queen Anne's offers the full range of Classical subjects. Greek is available on demand, and not within the formal timetable. At present, we have one girl in Year 9 studying Greek, and one girl in the Upper Sixth, in preparation for reading Classics at university. Many girls thoroughly enjoy the breadth, depth and challenge of studying the ancient languages and ancient civilisations, since they are so different from our own but have had so much influence on us and our world.
Latin begins at present in Year 8, although we are currently considering starting it in Year 7. In principle, all girls follow the subject for at least one year, although those who need to concentrate more closely on English as a Foreign Language use the time for that subject.
At the start of Year 9, the year-group is divided into one group who continue with Latin, and two groups who begin to study Classical Civilisation. Both courses are directly aimed at preparation for the GCSE in their respective subjects, although there is no commitment on the part of the girls to select either subject among the options that they choose for GCSE in the course of the year. Girls who have not studied Classical Civilisation in Year 9 may still opt for it, but the same is not true of Latin.
The GCSE course in Latin offered at Queen Anne's consists of two language papers, examined by translation from Latin and by comprehension question, and two set Roman authors or Latin anthologies, one prose, one verse. The literature is taught to a high level of technical understanding, but also as enjoyable, informative and interesting studies of characters and their situations. The course leads directly to A level.
The GCSE course in Classical Civilisation is very wide-ranging. It will cover the ancient city of Athens with reference to religion, family life, education and entertainment, six Books from Homer's Odyssey (studying the principal characters, gods, men, women and monsters, and various literary aspects of the work), the Town of Pompeii (looking at the origins of the town and reasons for its existence, all of the major buildings or types of buildings, and the destruction and excavation of the town). The fourth subject for study will be the Olympic games in every aspect, including the original site, its development and buildings, the events, the competitors, officials and spectators and similarities and differences in the games then and now.
AS and A level Latin continues with deeper study of language and literature, and the girls are all taught to translate from English into Latin, although they may choose to be examined by comprehension instead. They will learn to translate original authors without preparation in both prose and verse, and they will study set texts in prose and verse.
Girls of exceptional ability (so far, only those who have applied for Classics at Oxford or Cambridge) may also prepare for the Advanced Extension Award in Latin, which is a very testing paper for which only the awards of Merit or Distinction (or no award) are available.
AS Classical Civilisation gives the girls a chance to study Greek Tragedy in its Context, and City Life in Roman Italy, with reference to Rome, Ostia and Pompeii. Although girls who have already studied Pompeii at GCSE will be at an advantage, there is no reason why girls should not successfully begin this study at AS and reach an equal level of knowledge and understanding. The A level will be completed with the study of Art and Architecture in the Greek World, and Virgil and the world of the Hero, in which girls will study eight Books of Virgil's Aeneid and its political and social background, and four Books of Homer's Iliad, learning about composition, plot and narrative techniques in the epics.
Greek (not necessarily for examination: also for interest, or for preparation for a university Classics degree) is taught from the start by translation to and from Greek, and with the aid of a wide-ranging selection of readers. Individual attention means that girls are able to make swift and very solid progress in the subject, reaching a high grade at GCSE in one year if they wish. This would apply particularly to very able girls who have decided in the Sixth Form to read Classics at university, and wish to add to their examination honours!
Classicist like to boast that their disciplines give students the widest range of inter-related topics that are richly rewarding and enjoyable to study. And it's true. See above, for some very solid evidence!
Teaching staff
Head of Classics: Mr. A.D.H. Garner
Mrs S Aston
Miss S Paul