The Classics Department
Classics is thriving at Emanuel, being both extremely popular and achieving superb results. Latin is the most popular option choice of any subject at GCSE (160 pupils take Latin across Years 10 and 11). Classical Civilisation is also very popular with over 100 pupils on the GCSE course. We deliver A levels in both Latin and Classical Civilisation, and pupils regularly opt to continue their classics education into university, including Oxbridge.
The department currently consists of a Head of Department, three full-time specialists and one part-time member of staff. All members of the department are experienced, enthusiastic and well-qualified.
The teachers in the Classics department at Emanuel share a zeal for Classics and a keenness to communicate its value to our students. There is a strong sense of belonging to a team which works harmoniously together, sharing ideas, resources and good practice, but allowing flexibility and individuality to flourish. As a principle, the teaching of both Latin and Classical Civilisation in all year groups is shared and rotated between the members of the department.
From the outset, students are engaged in exploring the Classical World in all its breadth. With a primary focus on language and literature, the teaching also covers aspects of the Classical World, material culture and art of the Greek and Roman world. Students are encouraged to compare, to analyse and to evaluate.
Students are well provided for on the extra-curricular front with the offer of Ancient Greek classes for both juniors and seniors, many trips in the UK and overseas (Bath, Rome, Crete, Provence, Bay of Naples and Sardinia to name just a few) and support sessions and masterclasses, particularly for exam years.
Lower School (Years 7 – 9)
Latin is compulsory for all Year 7 students. At the end of Year 7, students then decide whether to continue with Latin or study another language. The vast majority continue (around 70% which equates to well over 100 pupils each year). Students then continue through to Year 9 where they can (and the majority do) elect to continue for GCSE.
Emanuel students thrive on the breadth and entertainment provided by the Cambridge Latin Course. The department makes use of the resources accompanying the course, including the eCLC, which we license for use on the school network, and the Cambridge Schools Classics Project website.
GCSE
There are currently five sets of Latin and four sets of Classical Civilisation in Year 10. Option numbers and results at GCSE are excellent (86% grade 9/8 for GCSE Latin in 2024 with 85 students).
In Latin, we follow the Eduqas specification. The department has chosen to study the language, literature and Roman Civilisation papers.
In Classical Civilisation, we follow the OCR syllabus and the two sets study topics including Myth and Religion, Roman City Life and War and Warfare.
A Level
Latin students are prepared for the OCR examination. The teaching of language and literature in both years is shared equally around the department.
For Classical Civilisation, we teach the OCR Classical Civilisation specification – World of the Hero; Greek Theatre and one topic from the ‘Beliefs and Ideas’ module (currently Greek Religion).
