Latin

Whilst it is no longer a living language, the study of Latin offers many benefits: it provides intellectual stimulation in its own right, and can enrich a pupil's understanding of other subjects, particularly English and Modern Languages. In fact, Latin is the only subject which has been taught at St. Edmund's ever since the school's foundation, and we have more pupils studying it now than there were 30 years ago!

St. Edmund's pupils can begin their Latin studies whilst at the Junior School, and it is an optional subject both in the Lower Fifth Form and for GCSE; we particularly encourage those pupils placed in Set 1 for English to study some Latin, as it is a valuable tool in their understanding of the grammar of English itself. In the Lower Fifth, our course is designed to build an awareness of the ancient world, and its impact on life today, as well as developing their skills in translation to and from Latin, and in comprehension. At GCSE level, half of the final marks (there is no marked coursework in this exam) are for language work, whilst the remaining 50% of marks are for the study of two set texts, one prose and one poetry. We continue developing our pupils' understanding of Rome, her civilisation and empire in the GCSE, and the influence that ancient culture still has today in the modern world.

In fact, we only have to look at the Hogwarts shield on the title page of any Harry Potter novel, to find an example of Latin still playing its part in popular culture: Draco dormiens numquam titillandus (Never tickle a sleeping dragon (or Draco))!