Latin is studied by all girls in Years 7-9, and is then offered at GCSE, where Greek is also available as a two year ab initio course.  In the Sixth Form both languages are offered via both International Baccalaureate and A level route, and Classical Civilisation is also available at A level.

Middle School

The first three years are based around the Cambridge Latin Course, which develops pupils' linguistic skills through stories set against the backdrop of life in the Roman world, specifically Pompeii, Britain, Alexandria and Rome.  We supplement the course with our own materials, particularly focussing on grammatical accuracy and background knowledge.
Upper School

A large group of girls opts for GCSE Latin.  We read two further books of the Cambridge Latin Course, increasingly focussed on politics in the imperial period in Rome, before beginning to read the two set texts (Latin and Greek are unique among language GCSEs in allowing the reading authors in the original).  We read selections from Virgil's epic poem the Aeneid, and around four letters by Pliny the Younger.  This allows the girls to combine the skills of grammatical, historical and literary analysis, and to reach into the heart of the ancient world through original sources.

In year 10 a group also begins an accelerated two year GCSE course in Classical Greek (many in combination with Latin).  In the first year we work through Taylor's Greek to GCSE, which introduces the language swiftly but carefully, based around passages on Greek myth, history and philosophy.  In Year 11 we begin the set texts, reading selections from Homer's Iliad or Odyssey, and the histories of Herodotus.

Sixth Form

The study of Latin and Greek, whether through A level or Baccalaureate (Higher or Standard level), combines in depth study of authors with further linguistic assessment.  For A level, two different authors tend to studied in each year; texts currently being read include the poetry of Homer and Ovid, and the historical writings of Tacitus and Herodotus. For the Baccalaureate (where Latin and Greek can be taken in addition to, or instead of, a modern language), two authors are studied more extensively over two years, usually the oratory of Cicero and the poetry of Virgil.  There is some distinction in course components: at A level, a paper is taken in prose composition, while in Higher Level Latin and Greek students complete a research dossier on a topic of their choice (topics this year have ranged from mock sea battles to the Romans' view of suicide).

Classical Civilisation combines the study of ancient literature and art and architecture.  Homer's Odyssey and three tragedies of Euripides are read in the first year, and the girls in addition complete coursework on Greek vase painting or architecture.  In the second year, Virgil's Aeneid and three further tragedies are studied, and considered in relation to the texts from the first year.  In addition the girls cover a module on classical Greek sculpture.
Each year a number of girls apply to read Classics at universities.  This year 4 gained offers from Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Events

A full programme of events is organised for girls.
Every year an overseas visit is organised, available to girls in the top four years; in 2006 the destination was Greece and in 2007 a group went to Sicily.  We shall visit mainland Italy in 2008.

In Year 8 the girls are visited for a day by members of Legion XIV, a reenactment group, and in Year 9 all girls visit Roman Bath. 

For older girls, there are frequent trips to see productions of classical plays, and those studying Greek in Year 10 visit the British Museum and National Gallery for a day. 

The Sixth Form is particularly rich in opportunities, including lecture days, visits by academics, and involvement in symposia with students from Winchester College and Whitgift School. 

2006 saw the inaugural Classics Symposium, combining two guest speakers with a grand Greek dinner for older classics students (this year 56 attended).  The Classical Society, run by Sixth Form girls, invites outside speakers to the school and also runs the Middle School Classics Society.  The Society has also launched a newsletter for girls in years 7-11 (click here to see the latest edition).