Thirds (Year 7)
In the first book of the Cambridge Latin Course, pupils are introduced to Caecilius and his family who live and work in Pompeii in AD79. They also meet the Latin language, beginning with simple sentences and eventually progressing to more complex. They become familiar with the nominative, accusative and dative cases of nouns and also the present, imperfect and perfect tenses of regular verbs. The irregular verb to be, in the present and imperfect tenses is also introduced. This grammar, along with some work on conjunctions, adjectives and pronouns, not only provides a solid foundation for work in the Shells, but also develops pupils’ understanding of their own language. This is further reinforced by looking at the many English words that are derived from Latin words. Pupils are also introduced to many aspects of the Roman world, including trade, slavery, gladiators, politics, family life and they are eye-witnesses to the shocking eruption of Mount Vesuvius and it’s consequences.
Shells (Year 8)
In the second book of the Cambridge Latin Course, after a brief visit to Roman Britain, the pupils follow the adventures of Quintus, Caecilius’ son, who survived the eruption of Vesuvius, and his slave Clemens. Quintus and Clemens travel to Alexandria in Egypt, where Quintus frees Clemens and sets him up as a shopkeeper; after this Quintus spends time with Barbillus, an old friend of Caecilius, before travelling onto Roman Britain. During these stories the pupils are introduced to the genitive and ablative cases of nouns, the imperfect tense of regular verbs and the present and imperfect tenses of several more irregular verbs. Adjectives, pronouns and subordinate clauses are studied in greater depth. Pupils also learn more about Roman religion, the province of Britannia and the scientific discoveries made in Alexandria.
Fourths (Year 9)
In the Fourth Form, pupils move onto the third book of the Cambridge Latin Course, which is based solely in Roman Britain. In this book Quintus continues to play a central role as pupils meet the governor of Roman Britain, Agricola, and the Roman Army. They also learn more about Roman religion and the way in which Roman provinces were administered. The grammar also becomes more complex, as pupils meet participles, adverbs, the subjunctive mood, indirect speech, purpose/result clauses and gerundives. By the time pupils have completed the Fourth Form they have an extremely solid foundation for success at GCSE level.
Throughout all three years there are regular vocabulary and translation tests to help build pupils’ knowledge and confidence. Also throughout the three years, pupils have the opportunity to take part in the EMACT Latin Reading and Project Competition, the Ancient Greek Club and some in-school activities of the Classics Society. Once in the Shell Form, pupils are invited to take part in the day trips run by the Classics Society and in the Fourth Form they are invited to take part in the annual trip to Hadrian’s Wall, a World Heritage Site, and in the regular trips abroad.