Classics

Classics is as comprehensive a subject as it is possible to imagine. Classicists develop skills in language and analysis; the study of literature, philosophy, archaeology and history is fully embedded in the school curriculum and beyond.

Classicists, therefore, receive mental training in a whole range of different disciplines, and are capable of exceptional intellectual flexibility. In our world of rapid social and technological change, it is the capacity to react to new and unforeseen developments with flexibility which is most valuable in later life, and it is widely recognised that Classics and related subjects produce just that kind of person, with an unparalleled capacity to adapt to new circumstances and learn new skills.

Lower School

Latin

In Year 9 pupils follow a course specifically geared to the needs of Cranleighans. The course is intellectually stimulating, challenging and always rewarding. It helps develop extremely important ‘thinking’ skills in our pupils. One of our key aims is for pupils to appreciate the differences and similarities between the Romans and ourselves. For GCSE, we study Roman literature in the original Latin. We may read about subjects as diverse as the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the rebellion of Boudicca, the last stand of the Druids, the murder of the Empress Messalina or the love affairs of the poet Catullus. These activities combine well to develop sophisticated literary, historical and linguistic skills in our pupils.

The exam comprises papers testing unseen translation, unseen comprehension, as well as the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of prose and verse set texts – there is also the opportunity to focus on key aspects of Roman Life, History and Culture.

Classical Civilisation

The importance of the Classical World cannot be overestimated.Art and architecture, literature and theatre, politics and philosophy are some of the many areas that have been founded and shaped by the Greeks and Romans. GCSE Classical Civilisation takes two broad themes – War and Myth – to explore the values and events of the ancient world. We move from the greatest hero who ever lived, Hercules, to the Battle of Actium, which was the founding moment of the modern Western world. We use written and visual sources to bring alive the societies that produced ours; societies in which we can see ourselves, and are yet horrified at the differences. The formal title of the course is OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation J199. Every year we offer a variety of trips both locally and further afield to Italy, Greece or somewhere even more exotic; we also attend plays, lectures and workshops.

Greek

For the most ambitious and interested pupils we offer a combined Greek and Latin course at GCSE, commonly known as ‘Gratin’. It is suitable for pupils who are aiming for top universities in any discipline, and wish to challenge themselves intellectually and actively demonstrate their academic ambition and self-motivation.

By studying Greek, pupils open up for themselves a world which saw the invention of western literature, philosophy, politics, history, theatre, democracy and more. In the GCSE course we study parts of that in the original language, whether the story of Troy in the Iliad or Odysseus’ 10-year attempt to return home in the Odyssey; we might study the first plays, whether the tragedies of Euripides, Sophocles and Aeschylus, which are still performed on major stages today; or the raucous comedies of Aristophanes. Herodotus, the Father of History, is a common choice of set text too, with his tales of the Persian Wars, reimagined in such films as 300, or his stories of ants as big as horses and cannibalistic rituals in the East.

Upper School

Latin

Latin, as one of the most highly regarded A Levels, is a natural choice for those aiming for elite universities. Pupils develop skills in reading and even writing Latin, focusing on the first century BC in Rome. This period, which saw as much upheaval as any other in the history of the world, was the furnace in which modern Europe was forged: out of one hundred years of civil war came our concept of the rule of law, oratory, the basis of modern political systems, the languages of Europe and even the literature and the calendar.

We follow the OCR A Level course. There is no coursework and all exams take place in the Summer term. In general classes tend to be small, informal and provide a lively and mature forum for discussion and debate. A typical week’s work will involve unseen translation and more advanced grammar work; reading, annotating and discussing the set text; composing an essay or other piece of criticism; appraising the ancient world and looking at modern parallels and differences.

Classical Civilisation

An inquiring mind and a willingness to immerse oneself in the civilisations of the past are the qualities necessary for success in Classical Civilisation: in return this course should be a rewarding one for you as it links well with a variety of academic interests. The specification is split between the study of Greek and Roman literature and culture. This course does not require you to have any previous knowledge of GCSE Classical Civilisation. Classical Civilisation can be combined particularly well with English, History, Religious Studies, Art, and Politics, as it considers all these disciplines and places them within the context of the ancient world.

Greek

We offer Greek as a two-year AS, with one module in the summer of Lower Sixth and one in the summer of Upper Sixth.

Classical Greek is one of the more challenging and rewarding courses open to Sixth Form pupils. A Level Classical Greek is an elite subject embarked on by only a few hundred pupils every year: it is an ideal preparation for candidates with ambitions for the top universities in any discipline, as it provides a benchmark of academic achievement and aspiration. In general, classes tend to be small and informal, providing a lively and mature forum for discussion and debate. We encourage you to aim for a high standard of written expression and argument, as well as a sensitive and perceptive interpretation of literature, history and culture, and a sophisticated understanding of language and idiom.

Trips & Events

We run a number of trips. Our main trip is an annual trip abroad; in the past, we have travelled around the greatest archaeological sites of Greece, starting from Athens and going past the oracle at Delphi, the athletic sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia, the Homeric world of Mycenae, the theatre and health centre of Epidauros, the pagan and Christian community at Corinth, and culminating on Cape Sounion, where the Temple of Apollo is one of the most memorable classical sites.

We have also travelled to the Bay of Naples, exploring Pompeii and Herculaneum, before travelling to the heart of the Roman Empire: Rome. We run a series of trips within the UK as well, ranging from the Roman Palace at Fishbourne, to a discovery of Roman London, via the Museum of London and the underground amphitheatre below the Guildhall. We also run regular trips to the British Museum. We have an extensive lecture series programme to complement and stretch our pupils’ classical knowledge.

Beyond School

Classics and Classical Civilisation are popular degree courses in many Universities, either standing alone or in combination with Archaeology and Anthropology. Normally five or six Cranleighans go on to study Classics related courses at university every year.

Classics is an excellent grounding in the skills required for a wide variety of professions. Well known public figures who have found the study of classics a valuable training before going to high achievement in other fields include: JK Rowling, best-selling author of the Harry Potter series; Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister; Sir Anthony Cleaver, ex-Chairman of IBM, Head of UK Atomic Energy Authority; and Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay.