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Classics

Aims

• To introduce students to the study of the Latin and Greek language, literature, classical history, art and architecture, politics and religion in the ancient world.
• To fire the students’ interest and imagination through their study of Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation.
• To foster an awareness of our Classical heritage and tradition that permeates European civilisation so that students grasp their cultural roots.
• To develop students’ powers of close observation and analysis of the form and meaning of language and teach the skills of problem solving.
• To help all students to fulfil their academic potential and enjoy their study of Classical subjects.

The Classics Department is a dynamic and exceptional department that encompasses the teaching of Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation.  There are six staff in a well equipped departmental area that is supplied with the latest ICT facilities.  Staff and students use the Cambridge Latin Course interactive DVD as well as e-learning internet resources and we aim to bring the learning of Classics to life using visual media, including images, film and interactive software.  All boys study Latin in the First to Third Years and Latin, Greek is an option in the Third Year, and both subjects can be taken at GCSE.  In the Sixth Form boys can study Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation for A level.  The Classics Department is one of the strongest in the country, with high numbers choosing Classical subjects at all levels and we have a steady number of boys going on to study Classics at leading universities. 

The Department runs trips to Bignor, Fishbourne, Bath and theatre performances and our overseas trips to Italy, Greece and Tunisia are particularly popular.  We run successful Junior and Senior Classics Societies which regularly host eminent academics.  Recently Professor James Diggle, Robert Bittlestone, and John Underhill addressed an audience of over 150 to answer the question ‘Where was Homer’s Ithaca?’

For the last three years the Classics Department has brought Classics to the local community in Guildford, teaching the ‘Minimus Project’ to children at Boxgrove County Primary School.

Parents and pupils can access detailed resources from the RGS intranet.