Bedales

Classics

Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation are genuinely thriving at Bedales. There are close to 40 students in both Block One and Block Two at Dunhurst studying Latin, with all students taking up Classical Greek either as part of their Latin lessons or their Classical Civilisation lessons in Block Three. GCSE Classical Greek is then an option from Block Four along with the ever popular BAC in Ancient Civilisations and, of course, GCSE Latin. At A Level we offer students the opportunity to study Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation.

Year 9 (Block 3)

At Block Three all students study either ‘Gratin’ or Classical Civilisation.

'Gratin'

Latin with Classical Greek, aka Gratin, is offered to all Block 3 Latinists and provides students with an opportunity to learn Classical Greek in parallel with their study of Latin. Students will continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of Latin so that they are well placed to continue it to GCSE if they choose to do so. Formal training in grammar and exercises to develop fluency in reading Latin are supplemented by the use of audio-visual and ICT resources. Latin's influence on English and other European languages is stressed throughout the course. As well as the Latin language the course explores many aspects of Roman and Greek civilisation, including mythology, entertainment, art and history. In addition to this one lesson out of four each week is dedicated to learning about the language and culture of Classical Greece. The study of Gratin assumes no prior knowledge of Greek and all students are taught the same course, irrespective of their experience.

Classical Civilisation

Classical Civilisation is studied by all students who do not study ‘Gratin’. The newly designed course encompasses the literature, culture and language of the Greeks. An abridged version of the Iliad is studied, which is then supplemented by research tasks exploring the background to the Mycenaeans (the heroes of Homer). In addition to this, one third of the course is given over to learning the Classical Greek language as this allows students who have not had the opportunity to study a Classical language at their previous school to begin one here. At the end of the year students will be well placed to pursue both GCSE Classical Greek and/or the BAC in Ancient Civilisations.

Years 10 & 11 (Blocks 4 & 5)

BAC Ancient Civilisations

Ancient civilisations are the foundation of modern ones, and their relevance can be found everywhere. This Bedales Assessed Course introduces students to the history, literature, art and societies of several of the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean. Their interactions with each other, and their legacy to us, are studied through topics such as the invention of history as the Greeks confronted a rival civilisation in the Persian Wars, the development of architecture from Stone Age Britain through Egypt to Greece, and the dawn of drama in the fifth century BC.
There is ample opportunity for students to explore topics through independent learning and practical activities. Assessment includes traditional testing, project work, and presentations to an audience.

GCSE Classical Greek

This is an exciting opportunity for all students, as it offers those who have already had some success in Latin to broaden their knowledge and understanding of Classical languages, while providing a first chance to study a Classical language to those students who did not come to Bedales with Latin.
The OCR GCSE specification allows candidates the opportunity to study elements of the language, literature and culture of the classical Greek world. It assesses candidates’ linguistic knowledge, their understanding and appreciation of literature in the original language, and their analysis, evaluation and response to evidence of Greek civilisation. By the end of two years students will be reading real Plato, Euripides or Herodotus.
Examining Board: OCR

GCSE Latin

The aim of the Latin GCSE course is to give students an understanding of the civilisation, literature and language which have profoundly influenced many modern societies. Students will become competent in the Latin language and read a selection of original prose and verse literature in Latin.
Examining Board: OCR

Sixth Form

All three Classical subjects are available for study in the Sixth Form. Latin and Greek are only open to those who have studied them at GCSE level whereas Classical Civilisation is a standalone course either open to those who wish to try something new at A Level or for committed students of the BAC in Ancient Civilisations who wish to continue their study of the Classical world.
In common with other A Levels, classical subjects will comprise two modules at AS and two at A2. All modules will be assessed by examination: there is no assessed coursework.
The department organises a junior and senior Classics trip on a rolling two year cycle, as well as other ad hoc visits to Rome during long weekends; we also make trips to play performances, lectures, exhibitions and museums with all Sixth Form Classicists during the course of the year. At Easter 2011 we ran a very successful trip to Greece for 20+ Sixth Form students and at Easter 2013 we plan to explore the west coast of Turkey.

Latin

The A Level course is based on the study of one prose and one verse Roman author in the original Latin. We also prepare for the more challenging discipline of Prose Composition (English into Latin) rather than the additional unseen as we believe this produces Classicists better prepared for the rigours of university level study. In the second year of the course, students read an even broader selection of Latin literature to consolidate grammar, broaden vocabulary and prepare for the unseen translation and prose composition papers.
Examining Board: OCR

Classical Greek

Ancient Greek is a sophisticated, expressive and beautiful language. It is not a timetabled subject as yet but the Department is highly flexible and makes arrangements to meet the requirements of individuals: recent Sixth Form students have taken GCSE, AS and A2 after two or three years’ study with excellent results. This option has been pursued with great success by students of Latin who have gone on to read Classics at university. The AS and A2 syllabuses are identical to Latin in structure. Enthusiastic linguists are welcome to take up Greek in the Sixth Form as a fun activity or to pursue it more formally.
Examining Board: OCR

Classical Civilisation

Classical Civilisation allows students to experience the legacy of Greece and Rome without the need to learn Latin and Greek. It can be studied on its own but it complements other subjects involving the study of literature, history and art.
For both AS and A2, one literary and one historical/ archaeological module will be studied, chosen to provide an equal balance between text-based and more artefact-based studies. In 2011-2012 these will be Greek Historians and Greek Tragedy in its Context.
A Level Classics offers a good foundation for Classical Studies and Ancient History at university. Students will ideally have attained at least a B grade in GCSE (or equivalent) English Literature, History or Ancient Civilisations.

Examining Board: OCR

Head of Department: Mike Lambert

Download a guide to the Sixth Form Curriculum

Read an article by 6.2 student Elliott Hills on the Bedales Classics Society