Students who choose to pursue GCSE Latin will have the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the Latin language and the society, values and literature of the ancient Romans.
You will continue to develop your skill in Latin translation, broadening your understanding of increasingly complex grammar and vocabulary so that you can translate genuine ancient Roman texts into English and appreciate them for their beauty and cultural significance. The GCSE also includes a civilisation component, which gives you the chance to study the myths and beliefs of the ancient Romans, as well as the lives of the Romans in Britain.
Course Progression
Assessment
OCR (Exam Board)
3 written exams, sat in the Summer of Year 11:
- Latin Language (tests your ability to read and understand unseen passages of Latin) – 90 minutes – 50% of the total mark.
- Verse Literature (tests your understanding of a set text that you will have studied in class) – 60 minutes – 25% of the total mark. Your set text will be sections of Virgil’s Aeneid, which tells the story of the fall of Troy.
- Literature and Culture (tests your understanding of two areas of Roman culture, includes the study of some Roman texts in English translation as well as visual sources) – 60 minutes – 25% of the total mark. Your set areas of Roman culture will be Myths and Beliefs, and The Romans in Britain.
Related Careers
“… we know that those who have studied the ancient languages are never, in fact, short of job-offers. A top asset-manager recently told me that his firm always employed classicists: they sold more. If Richard Dawkins is right, that is because ‘what Classics has always done is just teach people how to think."
Dr Peter Jones
As this quote suggests, a GCSE in Latin has the potential to open many doors for you in the working world. Latin improves your ability to communicate, to solve problems and to think critically. Common career paths include: law, medicine, journalism, civil service, museum/gallery curation, teaching, marketing and accountancy.
