Examination Board: OCR

4 papers at A level

1: Unseen Latin to English translation (33% of total marks for A level)

You will learn prescribed vocabulary and translate 2 unseen passages of Latin, 1 prose and 1 verse.

2: Latin reading comprehension (17% of total marks for A level)

You will translate and answer comprehension (including grammar) questions on a passage of unseen Latin prose.

3/4: Latin Verse and Prose Literature (50% of of total marks for A level)

For the literature papers, as at GCSE, we will read 2 verse and 2 prose authors together through the 2 years, translating and discussing and analysing the texts, in preparation for an examination on all the texts in June 2021.

What students are most suited to this course?

Latin A level will appeal to you if:

• You have enjoyed Latin so far – it’s not radically different in the 6th form.
• You enjoy learning the Latin language and translating stories and passages etc.
• You enjoy reading and appreciate literature.
• You enjoy an intellectual challenge and rigour.

Latin will give you the chance to:

Read in great detail some of the greatest literature ever written;

Explore how the Romans lived and the legacy that they left to the modern world;

Pursue a richly varied and very rewarding subject area;

Develop a range of highly valued academic skills and personal qualities.

What career or higher education options might this course lead to?

In the past 3 years, 6 students from Bennett have chosen to study Classics (Latin) courses at leading universities.

You can progress to higher education courses such as honours degrees in Classics (Latin, Greek and / or Classical Civilisation, or all three), or to degrees in related subjects such as History, English Literature, Modern Languages, Archaeology and Religious Studies.

An Advanced GCE in Latin will give you a number of highly valued skills relevant to many types of employment, such as intellectual rigour and the ability to challenge and extend yourself and solve problems. An eye for detail and a focus on accuracy and precision, combined with careful thought and powers of analysis, are invaluable for success in so many fields.

Students with qualifications in Classics (Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation) go into a variety of professional careers.

The skills that you will obtain through studying Latin will be useful and highly prized in a number of careers, either directly related to Latin and the classical world (eg teaching, working in museums, galleries, heritage sites, record offices and archives), or in areas such as journalism, the law, national and local government, the civil & diplomatic and intelligence services.

The Russell Group universities regard Latin highly and favour applications with these keystone subjects.

What extra-curricular activities support this course?

Students will be encouraged to participate in visits to museums, to university Classics departments, to study days, seminars and lectures and on trips to Classical sites at home and abroad.

What other courses combine successfully with Latin?

7 out of the last 12 students at Latin A level achieved an A grade.

The subject has very obvious connections with English Literature, Modern Languages and History. Studying Latin will complement and strengthen your study of any of these A level courses. As the course covers key cultural starting points of western society it provides a strong foundation for combination with the study of the European languages that we offer at A level.

Latin also combines well with maths and science subjects to create an attractive and complementary portfolio of subjects for a student to move on to a science based course. Combined with English and Social Sciences it would provide a good basis for arts or humanities based courses.

Quotations from students:

‘The chance to do Latin is BRILLIANT. It teaches you skills that help in all your other lessons, such as attention to detail.’

‘Latin is a REALLY INTERESTING subject to study: for one thing because of all the history and how so many things are rooted in Latin.’

‘There is no subject that opens up a WIDER RANGE OF SKILLS and PLEASURES.’

‘It is SATISFYING to be able to translate an ancient language. Reading famous ancient poetry and stories is FANTASTIC too.’

‘Latin has IMPROVED my ENGLISH VOCABULARY immeasurably.’