Latin
All pupils who have enjoyed studying Latin up to year 9 should find the GCSE course well within their grasp.
There are two main aspects to the OCR syllabus:
Language: most of the first year is spent consolidating linguistic knowledge. To help candidates, a defined vocabulary list is published by the board.
Literature: in the second half of the course candidates develop their appreciation of Latin literature by reading set texts, both in prose and verse. As an alternative to one of the set texts candidates may choose the Sources for Latin option, which looks at the primary evidence for aspects of Roman life.
There is no controlled assessment.
Latin with Classical Greek (“Gratin”)
This joint course in Greek and Latin (“Gratin”) is aimed at capable Latinists who have enjoyed having a taste of Greek and would like to study both languages to GCSE level within one option slot. This rigorous and intensive course involves the study of Greek on a fast track alongside Latin and will appeal to students with a genuine interest in languages, especially those who might later consider a course in classical languages at university. The structure of the OCR Classical Greek syllabus is exactly the same as for Latin.
Classical Civilisation
This course is aimed at people who are interested in exploring the literature and culture of the ancient world. We are planning to follow the OCR syllabus, which is wide-ranging and consists of the following elements:
- Unit 1: City Life in the Classical World: Rome.
- Unit 2: Epic and Myth: Homer, The Odyssey.
- Unit 3: Community Life in the Classical World: Pompeii.
- Unit 4: Culture and Society in the Classical World: This unit will be assessed by means of controlled assessment, which has taken the place of coursework. Candidates will be required to write an essay in controlled conditions on Sophocles’ Antigone.