Rooks Heath is a school which understands and values the ancient world and the ancient languages. We encourage and foster a love of the ancient world within our students, especially those who have studied Latin or Ancient Greek in Key Stages 3 and 4. For those who wish to further their knowledge of the ancient world, we offer both Ancient Greek and Latin at Key Stage 5. Whether it is Latin or Ancient Greek, we have a broad, ambitious and engaging curriculum that we are proud of. We are a successful department, regularly sending students to Oxbridge, with some choosing to study the subject further at university.

This curriculum, based on OCR A Level in Latin, has been designed to help students develop their understanding of the Latin language and the related ancient literature, values and society.  

This curriculum will enable students to:  

• develop an appropriate level of competence in the language studied 
• acquire the language skills which enable students to read literary texts, both prose and verse, in the original language 
• develop an interest in, and enthusiasm for, the literary, historical and cultural features of the ancient world 
• acquire the literary skills which enable students to read ancient literature, both prose and verse, in its original language with appropriate attention to literary techniques, styles and genres 
• apply analytical and evaluative skills at an appropriate level which show direct engagement with original texts in the ancient language 
• make an informed personal response to the material studied 
• begin to develop a sensitive and analytical approach to language generally 
• be encouraged to develop research and analytical skills that will empower them to become resilient independent students

The key features for the students are: 

• the opportunity to be inspired, motivated and challenged by reading widely across a range of set texts 
• the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the life and culture of the ancient world through the literature studied 
• the encouragement to develop and apply critical analytical skills, which will help students in their future study and employment
• the opportunity to develop linguistic skills which will help both in the study and application of English and other languages  
• the separation of the assessment of unseen language and set texts in different question papers 
• the chance to develop the language and literature skills needed to progress to studying Classics at undergraduate level.