In and out of the classroom 

The study of Latin is introduced in Year 6. You might be surprised to know that it’s one of our most popular subjects. Greek is offered as a Commoner after school activity. 

As boys discover the secrets of how these intriguing languages work, they enjoy unravelling the intricacies of conjugations and declensions,  tenses and cases, voices, moods, and hidden subjects.
 
gaudium discendi- the joy of learning
 
We teach Latin using Who Said Latin’s Dead, a scheme which the boys find accessible and fun. The workbooks are based on the adventures of Guy and Olivia, two British schoolchildren lost in Ancient Rome, whose journey through the Ludus Magnus conveniently leads them through the Common Entrance Level 1 syllabus.
 
The workbooks include puzzles and interactive activities as well as translations and practice sentences designed to engage the boys more effectively with the grammar.
 
In Year 8, boys deepen their knowledge of the vocabulary, grammar, and syntax required for the exams ahead, and the scholars take on the ultimate challenge: prose composition.
 
They master much of the complex grammatical material that comprises the GCSE Latin syllabus and with plenty of hard work, they become skilled translators tackling excerpts adapted from authors such as Livy, Pliny, and Cicero.

Literature and Classical Civilisation

Alongside their linguistic studies, all year groups explore Homer’s The Iliad and Odyssey in translation. Knowledge of these key texts is required at Common Entrance and the boys love listening to scenes from these epic poems.
There are also opportunities to learn about:

  • Roman daily life
  • Life in the Roman army
  • The history of Roman Britain
  • Other Greek myths, for example, Theseus and the Minotaur

Ancient Greek

Ancient Greek is offered as part of the syllabus in Year 8. We begin by learning the alphabet and progress to reading and translating stories. Working at their own pace, some boys will tackle Ancient Greek scholarship papers, others do the Ancient Greek Common Entrance paper at Level 1 or Level 2. More often than not, boys study Ancient Greek purely to add to their general knowledge.

English

English is the fundamental to all learning and at Pilgrims’ we provide a thorough grounding in all aspects of literacy.

All boys are encouraged to read and there are plenty of opportunities to explore the world of books.

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Music

Music and choir at Pilgrims’ play a central role in school life, offering boys outstanding opportunities to develop their musical talent, perform with confidence and be part of a rich choral tradition.

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