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Latin

Children in Year 5 follow a course in language awareness, where the main emphasis is on the influence of Latin and Greek on the English language. One popular activity is the inventing of new words with Greek roots (have you ever heard of a microxylopteropod?).

From Years 6 to 8 pupils follow a course in Latin which prepares them to sit the Common Entrance examination, or senior school scholarship examinations. The emphasis on the relationship between Latin and English continues, alongside a solid grammatical foundation, which makes it easier to take the language further. At the same time, pupils are encouraged to read and understand passages of Latin from the earliest stages. Pupils joining in Year 7 who have not previously learnt Latin are usually given an extra weekly sesion off-timetable to help them catch up.

Throughout the course pupils are exposed to the extraordinary history, culture and achievements of the Romans, and to many of the great stories of Greek mythology. Drama and song are used from time to time as a way of exploring and responding to the material.

Apart from the interest and enjoyment of finding out about the ancient world in its own right, learning Latin develops skills of analysis and attention to detail, and an appreciation of language which greatly helps in the learning of other languages. Ancient Greek has a similar structure to Latin, and pupils in Years 7 and 8 have the opportunity to start learning this in off-timetable sessions.