Latin
Since September 2020, we have been teaching Latin in Y4-6 and also an introduction to Ancient Greek (Y6) using the Maximum Classics syllabus, adapted for our school.
From September 2022, we will introduce Latin towards the end of Y3, when the children study the Romans in History, and teach it throughout Y4, Y5 and Y6 (and also introduce Ancient Greek at the end of Y6, when the children study Ancient Greece in History) using this Maximum Classics syllabus.
One of the main reasons we have chosen Latin is that, as our pupils move to KS3, they will encounter different modern foreign languages depending on which high school they choose. Currently, this could be Spanish, French or German. Because the feeder primary schools also all teach different languages (currently, French, Spanish, Italian) pupils tell us that in Y7 the approach is to treat them all as learning the language from scratch. We believe that learning Latin at KS2 gives our pupils a good linguistic foundation for all future language learning and also underpins many English grammar and spelling requirements, whilst introducing them to the best that has been thought, said and written in classical civilisations. This is supported by the National Curriculum, which states:
If an ancient language is chosen the focus will be to provide a linguistic foundation for reading comprehension and an appreciation of classical civilisation. Pupils studying ancient languages may take part in simple oral exchanges, while discussion of what they read will be conducted in English. A linguistic foundation in ancient languages may support the study of modern languages at key stage 3.
Children are taught by their class teacher or the Headteacher, all non-specialists but all having the benefit of regular and free expert training though our partnerships with Classics for All and The Latin Project. We are grateful to these two societies for providing the funding for resources in addition to their excellent training, and also for the support of the Classics Hub at Liverpool Hope University.
Please read our curriculum statement and progress documents for Latin for full details.
Take a look at our audible dictionary to help with pronunciation!
