Classics

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ἀεὶ γὰρ ἥβη τοῖς γέρουσιν εὐμαθεῖν

Every generation recognises not only its debt to its classical past, but that we owe our future to an appreciation of our shared classical heritage.

Study of Latin and Classical Greek opens an otherwise closed and dark treasure house, where we can make sense of our own literature and languages, criticise and enjoy the written word. Students of Classical Civilisation have a unique opportunity in the most comprehensive of all humanities, where they can investigate and criticise ancient Greek and Roman history, art, society, philosophy, architecture, literature and archaeology.

In June 2021, FHS opened its own dedicated Classics Centre just across the road from the Ivor Place site. This unique space has allowed the Classics department to expand and in January 2022, we held our first ever Classics Symposium (as part of Classic Week) which brought together over 100 Classics students from local schools where leading academics held discussions and debates. Classics Week is now an annual event in the School calendar.

Teachers in the Classics Department are the most enthusiastic of subject specialists, with vast knowledge and appreciation to bring to lessons and the wider classical experience. All our teachers can teach Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation up to A Level and all have different interests in a range of Classical subjects including Greek philosophy, Latin Love Elegy, Roman comedy and staples of the subject including Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid. We run a weekly lunch-time Mythical Monsters club with activities aimed at girls in the Thirds (Year 7) and Lower Fourth (Year 8), including making their own Greek pots and putting on a Greek play.

For girls taking Classical subjects at A Level, all our teachers can provide extension and enrichment opportunities on a diverse range of subjects to help students prepare for university applications.

Suburani is used to teach Latin to Key Stage 3 pupils, following a cast a characters from all parts of the Roman Empire. As well as teaching the key concepts of the Latin language, Suburani also allows users to learn about aspects of the Roman world including religion, entertainment and slavery. In all subjects a variety of learning resources are used. We are also brilliantly placed in central London for access to the British Museum, the University of London and many regular events with focus on the classical world. The School Library is well-resourced, and the Department also has a wide range of books on display in the Classics Centre.

nullumst iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius

There’s nothing said nowadays that’s not been said before – Terence (Roman dramatist)

Key Stage 3

All girls study Latin in their first three years, preparing them well for the GCSE course. By the end of these introductory years, pupils have a high level of sophistication with the language as well as an understanding of life in Pompeii, a typical Roman town and the influence of the Romans on ancient Egypt and Britain.

All pupils gain some experience of Classical Greek. They are given one lesson a week in the Summer Term of the Lower Fourth, and an experience week in the Upper Fourth, to promote this important language and civilisation, as well as to help them with their choices for GCSE.

GCSE

By this stage, pupils’ understanding of the Latin language is so developed that they can read and write critically about original Latin literature, observing nuance, analysing detailed rhetorical techniques and translating literature according to their own subjective reaction.

Students of GCSE Latin are well prepared for further study at A Level.

A Level

By the end of this course, our A Level students are practised Latinist, with a broad experience of literature in its original language, and an ability to read, analyse and criticise with justified confidence the words of ancient Romans. A balance of language and literature is studied, as at GCSE, but with greater focus on the personal response and more detailed critique.

Key Stage 3

All girls gain some experience of Classical Greek in Key Stage 3, to promote this important language and civilisation, as well as to help them with their choices for GCSE.

GCSE

The benefit of a relatively small class of students of Classical Greek means pupils make fast progress. They gain a remarkable sophistication in the language and read, with a critical eye, as much literature as students of GCSE Latin.

Students of both GCSE Latin and Classical Greek are well prepared for further study at A Level.

A Level

By the end of this course, our Classical Greek students are practised Hellenists, with a broad experience of literature in its original language, and an ability to read, analyse and criticise with justified confidence the words of ancient Greeks. A balance of language and literature is studied, as at GCSE, but with greater focus on the personal response and more detailed critique.

GCSE

As part of Classical Civilisation GCSE, students examine the myths and religion of the ancient Greeks and Romans. They also study Homer’s Odyssey and look at the ancient culture of Mycenae as part of the Homeric World paper

A Level

Breadth is our aim, to give students the richest experience and the best preparation for continuing their study of Classics at university. We cover topics in Epic poetry, Greek Tragedy and Comedy and look at what ancient writers thought about love in the Love and Relationships paper.

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