Classics

Latin is taught as part of the core curriculum, being compulsory in the first three years. Classics – the study of the languages, literature, history and culture of ancient Greece and Rome – continues to thrive at Downside within its rich and distinguished tradition of Benedictine scholarship.

FIRST FORM

Pupils study the Greek world in one lesson each week. While some may already have encountered elements of the classical world at prep school, we ensure that everyone gains a thorough grounding in the culture and life of the ancient Greeks. This allows all students to finish the year at a broadly similar level. Opportunities for stretch and challenge are provided through a range of textbooks and resources, as well as through presentations and projects on different aspects of the course.

SECOND FORM

In the Second Form, pupils continue to have one lesson per week and explore the world of ancient Rome. We take the opportunity to study Roman religion, art, and culture, as well as Roman mythology. Pupils also have the opportunity to carry out independent research on topics of their interest and present their findings to the class.

THIRD FORM

All pupils study Latin twice a week. We use the Suburani Latin Course as a foundation, supplemented by our own grammatical materials to ensure a deeper understanding of the language. Pupils also have the opportunity, if they wish, to study Greek alongside Latin in our Greek club, where they can learn the alphabet and basic linguistic structures in one lesson per week.

GCSE

Both Latin and Greek can be studied at GCSE level, where the skills of translation and comprehension are enhanced by the literary study of prose and verse texts written by some of the great Roman and Greek authors.

SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM

Pupils are able to pursue their love of Classical language and literature into the Sixth Form, where we offer Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation (examining board: OCR). A wide range of texts is studied alongside the texts set for examination, so that pupils gain an insight into the history and culture of the Greeks and Romans through contemporary writing. The skills which are practiced during the Sixth Form are those of close analysis, accuracy, fluency, essay writing and the consideration of historical and political context, all of which will stand the pupils in good stead for any university course.

CLASSICS ENRICHMENT

Trips and events form a major part of the Classics Department calendar. We offer lots of extra-curricular activities across the year groups, such as a day trip to the Roman baths in Bath, Chedworth Roman Villa, the British Museum in London, a visit from the actors of Dionysus, workshops and many other opportunities for pupils to dive into the ancient world such as school visits to Italy and Greece. We also facilitate trips to Classics lectures and organise special classical cultural days at School.

DR. ROBERTO VALENTE
Head of Classics
rvalente@downside.co.uk

Dr Valente has recently been given the honour of joining the research committee team of the Global Institute of Research, Education and Scholarship (Amsterdam). This is a honorary position giving Dr Valente the opportunity to keep abreast of innovative teaching methods and to be able to share ideas with other members of the international research community about teaching with/and Digital Humanities.

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