The Classics Department is situated in the Quad, a modern, comfortable teaching block designed to fit in with the aesthetics of the main house. Here we bring a modern approach to the most traditional of subjects, so that all of our pupils can enjoy the language, literature and culture of the Romans and Classical Greeks.
We take pride in maintaining Classics as a core subject in our syllabus, due to the foundation and support it offers to all other subjects, especially English, History and Modern European Languages. As a logical, structured, yet diverse subject area, it also allows the pupils an unparalleled opportunity to develop and hone their study skills. We work equally closely with both the Special Educational Needs and the Gifted and Talented register to ensure that all pupils are supported and challenged appropriately.
All students start Latin in Form 2 (Year 5), with the Minimus Latin Course - a gentle introduction to what Latin looks and sounds like, under the guidance of Minimus the Mouse, an inhabitant of Vindolanda in the 1st Century AD. The course is thoroughly grounded in the archaeological studies of Hadrian's Wall, and gives an accurate and fun idea of life in Roman Britain. This also brings us into contact with Classical Mythology, and we follow the stories of Perseus, Hercules, Jason, Achilles and Odysseus (among many hundreds of others) throughout our studies at Cottesmore.
In the 3rd and 4th Forms (Year 6 and 7), we follow the world-renowned Cambridge Latin Course, using story-based stages to introduce new vocabulary and grammatical terms within the settings of Roman Pompeii, Sussex and Egypt to give a fantastic overview of the diversity of the Roman Empire. Supporting the course, we have access to online and DVD-Rom resources that vividly bring the Roman world to life.
In the 5th and 6th Forms (Year 8), the focus is clearly on Common Entrance and Public School Scholarship exams. The Cambridge Latin Course is supplemented by a wide array of further resources, revision guides and past papers. Classics is still a core subject for very many senior schools, with Latin generally studied until the end of Year 9. Latin and Classical Civilisation GCSEs are now as popular as ever, so we aim to provide the best possible preparation for academic success and enjoyment.
Ancient Greek is currently offered as a taster to the Year 8 pupils once they have completed their senior school entrance exams; It can also be offered as a full academic subject to Scholarship and CEE where there is demand from the pupils.
We are lucky to be situated very close to a great number of Classical sites - Bignor and Fishbourne Roman Villas being very close, with Canterbury also within striking range, so the potential for field trips is great. Our contact with the national classical associations allows us to plan theatre visits, and there are also plans for wider travel yet, to tie in with the locations studied under the Cambridge Latin Course.
Mike Haswell, Head of Classics