Latin

The Latin curriculum at The Blue Coat School offers students the opportunity to explore the language, literature, and culture of the ancient Romans, fostering both intellectual rigour and a lifelong appreciation for language. Through the systematic study of Latin grammar and vocabulary, students develop advanced literacy skills, gain insight into the roots of words in contemporary European languages, and cultivate precision and analytical thinking when interpreting texts.

Reading Roman literature allows students to engage with themes that remain relevant today, such as power, morality, and human ambition, while appreciating the profound influence Roman writers have had on subsequent literary traditions. In parallel, the study of Roman culture encourages students to situate their own civilisation within a historical continuum, broadening their perspective and deepening their understanding of societal development and philosophy.

Exploration of Roman mythology stimulates imagination and creativity, inviting students to re-imagine narratives and reflect on how humans interpret the world around them. Latin students relish the intellectual challenge of mastering the language and, in doing so, acquire analytical, linguistic, and literary skills that are highly transferable and valuable across a wide range of academic and professional paths.

Curriculum Journey

In Year 7, students begin their journey through the highly accessible Minimus course. Using stories centred around a real Roman family living in Roman Britain, students are introduced to the fundamentals of the Latin language. They learn how nouns, adjectives and verbs work, gradually building vocabulary and grammatical understanding through engaging narratives and cultural contexts. As students progress through the course, they encounter adverbs, plurals and imperatives, developing both language skills and an appreciation of daily life in the Roman world. The emphasis is placed on building confidence, recognising connections between Latin and modern languages, and fostering curiosity about Roman civilisation.

In Year 8, students move on to the De Romanis course, which broadens their understanding of Roman mythology and belief systems. Through studies of the Olympian gods, Roman heroes and divine intervention, students encounter some of the most influential stories in classical culture. They explore themes of courage, fate, reward and punishment while continuing to develop their ability to translate and understand Latin texts. The study of mythology also helps students appreciate the enduring influence of classical stories on literature, art and popular culture.

Year 9 further develops both linguistic proficiency and cultural understanding. Students continue through De Romanis, studying Roman festivals, games, shows and ideas of prophecy. Alongside language learning, they undertake a more detailed exploration of Roman literature and entertainment. Through the study of gladiatorial contests, the amphitheatre, theatre performances and the Circus Maximus, students gain insight into the social, political and cultural life of the Roman world. These topics encourage students to think critically about Roman values and compare ancient societies with their own experiences.

At GCSE, students consolidate and expand their knowledge of Latin grammar and translation skills. In Year 10, students undertake a systematic study of GCSE language topics and develop increasingly sophisticated translation skills, including English-to-Latin sentence work. They also begin the study of prescribed literature through Virgil’s Aeneid, one of the most important works of classical literature. Alongside literary study, students explore Roman Britain, examining the impact of Roman rule and the evidence that remains today.

In Year 11, students continue to refine their translation and interpretation skills while studying prose set texts by Pliny and Gellius. These texts provide fascinating insights into Roman society, beliefs and everyday life. Students revisit and consolidate key grammatical concepts while developing the ability to analyse literary techniques and historical context. Through focused revision of both language and literature, students prepare for GCSE examinations with confidence and independence.

At A Level, students engage with some of the greatest works of Roman literature and develop an advanced understanding of the Latin language. In Year 12, students build mastery of complex grammar and translation through extensive prose composition and linguistic analysis. They study Virgil’s Aeneid alongside Cicero’s Pro Roscio, exploring themes of leadership, justice, rhetoric and identity within their historical contexts.

In Year 13, students further develop their literary and analytical skills through advanced translation work, prose composition and the study of Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Tacitus’ Annals. These texts introduce students to a diverse range of literary styles and allow them to engage with complex questions surrounding power, transformation, morality and human behaviour. By the end of the course, students are able to analyse sophisticated texts with precision and originality, preparing them for higher education and a wide range of future careers.

Beyond the Classroom Experiences

Students studying Latin benefit from a variety of enrichment opportunities that bring the ancient world to life beyond the classroom. At Key Stage 3, the Mythology Club allows students to explore classical stories in greater depth, while the ARLT Latin Speaking Competition develops confidence and oral fluency. GCSE students have the opportunity to broaden their classical studies through the Intermediate Certificate in Classical Greek. Sixth Form students benefit from a range of academic and cultural opportunities, including educational visits to Rome, participation in national Latin speaking competitions, Oxbridge essay competitions and attendance at Classical Association lectures. These experiences deepen students’ understanding of the ancient world while developing intellectual curiosity, public speaking skills and academic ambition.

GCSE and A-Level Specifications

OCR GCSE Latin (OCR J282) (Option F)

OCR A Level Latin (OCR H443)

Wider Reading Opportunities

Years 7–8

Minimus – Barbara Bell
Roman Diary: The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini – Richard Platt
Tales of the Greek Heroes – Roger Lancelyn Green
Who Let the Gods Out? – Maz Evans

Year 9

The Eagle of the Ninth – Rosemary Sutcliff
Roman Mysteries series – Caroline Lawrence
Black Ships Before Troy – Rosemary Sutcliff
Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Rick Riordan

Years 10–11

The Aeneid (retold editions) – Virgil
SPQR – Mary Beard
Pompeii – Robert Harris
The Classical World – Robin Lane Fox

Years 12–13

The Aeneid – Virgil
Metamorphoses – Ovid
Annals – Tacitus
Rubicon – Tom Holland
The Twelve Caesars – Suetonius
SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome – Mary Beard

Journals and Further Reading

Omnibus Magazine (Classical Association)
Classics for All resources
Classical Association publications
History Today (Ancient History features)
Oxford Classical Dictionary Online (selected articles)
British Museum resources on Ancient Rome and Classical Civilisation

These resources help students deepen their understanding of Roman language, literature and culture while developing the scholarly curiosity and analytical skills that are central to the study of Classics.