Classics

The study of Classics has always been strong at St Edward’s. Today it forms a key and integral part of the modern curriculum.

We offer the full range of classical subjects: Greek, Latin and Classical Civilisation throughout the School to OCR A Level and IB (Classical Languages) as well as Oxbridge entrance.

All pupils in their Shell year study the Classical World, encompassing language, literature, and culture. Many take at least one, or two classical subjects through the Middle School to GCSE and/or the Ancient World Perspective. The study of Greek and Latin is literary as well as linguistic and pupils handle important works of literature in the original language even at this stage (an element absent from modern languages) and learn to practise criticism and analysis of both prose and poetic genres. Our department-designed Perspective course covers the context of historical and social backgrounds in addition to literary and historical sources in translation, as well as material culture, which leads to great opportunities for discussion and independent research. This course is broader, more enriching and yields better grades than that offered by OCR.

The study of our subjects can lead to traditional Classics degrees and those in Ancient History, Archaeology, Anthropology, and Philosophy. Alternatively, Sixth Form classical subjects enable entry to English, History, Law or MFL degree courses. Any of these open the way to a wide variety of jobs, many of them apparently unconnected to the Classical World – in computers, the city, the Foreign Office, Business and Advertising. Of all arts subject graduates, Classicists are statistically the most employable and sought after.

Above all, the Classics Department aims to give its pupils a life-long interest in this rich and fascinating range of subjects and skills. Visits are made to see primary evidence in situ: we take trips abroad, most recently to Magna Graecia, rather better known now as Sicily. We take trips to Romano-British settlements, enter essay and reading competitions, attend course-related conferences and exhibitions, along with live performances of Greek drama. Every few years we organise a large, national conference on a classical theme: ‘Project & Survive – the classical world through popular media’, or ‘The Age of Augustus’, ‘Ovid’ on the 2000th anniversary of his death and ‘The Year that Made Europe’ on the 2500th anniversary of Persian War battles of Thermopylae & Salamis.

We fully exploit our location in Oxford: there are visits to the Ashmolean, and our active Lyne Society hosts lectures by university dons and others including now former-PM Boris Johnson (when Mayor of London) on the poet Horace, and former Boat Race supremo Boris Rankov on the Athenian Trireme. The junior branch of this society (Lower Lyne), run by Sixth Formers, enjoys monthly quizzes, debates, creating sculpture and films. Members of the Department also contribute to teaching within the University of Oxford and provide outreach teaching.

Head of Department: Mark Taylor

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