Latin
All Sedbergh pupils study at least one year of Latin on entry to the senior School and those who go on with their study of Classics at GCSE and beyond find that it proves useful across a range of career and higher education course options.
For GCSE, candidates work towards four written papers, testing their knowledge
of Latin, ability to translate from Latin into English (with the option of some
English into Latin) and knowledge of two set texts (one prose, one verse).
- Paper 1: Language 1 (higher tier): three passages of Latin prose, 2 for
translation into English, 1 for comprehension.
- Paper 2: Verse Literature (higher tier): tests candidates’ knowledge,
appreciation and understanding of one of two prescribed verse texts. There
is no choice of question on the chosen text
- Paper 3: Prose Literature: As for verse literature.
- Paper 4: Language 2 (higher tier): EITHER tests candidates’ abilities
in translation of an unprepared passage of Latin prose OR their ability to
translate six English sentences into accurate Latin.
Studies at A-level
Students must be able to cope with a complex and highly inflected language
and they must be interested in both language and literature. Latin at A-level
is not recommended to those who have not achieved at least a B grade at GCSE.
Year 12
- Literature 1: preparation of one text (prose or verse) for examination
testing knowledge of context and content, demanding ability to analyse style
and thematic presentation.
- Literature 2: same text; translation of two passages into English and an
essay on some literary aspect of the text studied.
- Unseen translation 1: translation of passage of unprepared Latin prose into
English. Author unspecified. Defined vocabulary list published.
Year 13
- Literature 3: Different text (slightly longer) studied. One examination:
no translation: questions on style, content, context, communication of ideas
and emotions, character; essay on some aspect of text studied.
- Unseen translation 2: translation of two unprepared passages (prose and
verse); authors specified; no defined vocabulary.
- Composition or comprehension: translation of short passage of English prose
into Latin OR questions testing understanding (including grammar and syntax)
of fairly demanding passage of Latin prose. Sedbergh students are generally
prepared for composition.