Classics
Why study Classics in the 21st century?
Classics provides a solid foundation for all other academic subjects offered at Solihull School, as it trains you in logical thinking, develops your analytical skills, and teaches you about the origins of history, geography, languages, drama, engineering, politics, law, philosophy and economics! All that in one subject!
The department is run by Miss J Guy, who is ably assisted by Miss L Dickinson. Latin is taught throughout the school, and is compulsory in Year 7, becoming an option subject in Year 8 through to A Level. Classical Civilisation is also offered at A Level in the Sixth Form. Ancient Greek can be studied from year 7, at the Ancient Greek Club, with the option of taking it onto GCSE, as an extra-curricular class, open to those students who relish a challenge!
Latin is taught using the Cambridge Latin Course. There is no longer just a textbook, but also an interactive website and DVD! These resources are used regularly throughout years 7, 8 and 9. At GCSE the work is divided into four elements: Language (Translation and Comprehension), Verse Literature, Prose Literature and Roman Life. To aid with vocabulary learning, the computer program ‘Latin Vocabulary Drill’ is used to great effect. At A Level, these four elements continue, but pupils are able to explore texts in much greater depth and to develop their literary criticism skills. A variety of different genres are studied, through translation, discussion and essay writing. Ancient texts are brought to life and universal themes, such as love, loss, death and heroism, are explored.
A Level Classical Civilisation does not require any prior knowledge, so pupils do not need to have a GCSE in either Latin or Classical Civilisation. The course is made up of six modules, with three forming the AS level. The modules studied include Archaeology, Greek Art and Architecture, and Greek and Roman Epic. There are study days organised as part of the Classical Civilisation course – to Wroxeter Roman City to have a go at archaeological techniques, such as surveying and interpreting a site, and to the British Museum to explore Greek vase painting and sculpture.
It isn’t all academic work in the Classics Department though! There is also the popular Classics Society – one of the busiest Societies in the school, with a regular programme of lectures, films, theatre trips and socials. The Society runs several day trips throughout the year, to special exhibitions at The British Museum, to the legionary fortress town of Chester, and to the luxury of Roman Bath, amongst many other places!
There are regular residential trips to places such as Hadrian’s Wall. On these trips, the creation and function of Roman sites is analysed and archaeological surveying skills are developed.
But we don’t just explore Britain! Recently, we have ventured into Greece and Tunisia, and there are tours of Rome, Pompeii and Herculaneum planned.
Classics at Solihull School is a vibrant and exciting subject, which offers an incredible range of opportunities to those pupils interested in not only the Ancient World, but also the world around them today!