The Department aims to guide students to success in public examinations by providing an interesting and enjoyable study of the ancient world, its languages and its literature (including in translation).
 
We hope that students will develop their awareness of the influence of the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome on our world today.  More generally, students will gain a sensitivity to societies whose spiritual and moral values and priorities contrast with those of the modern western world. 
 
In addition, we aim to encourage students to respond searchingly and personally to what they read; to think independently and analytically; to apply their evaluative skills to classical material; to express themselves with clarity and accuracy.

Small numbers in each of the sets allows there to be a really personal touch about Classics lessons, and each boy is allowed to flourish at his respective level. This has been demonstrated in examination results over recent years.

Matthew Hillier MA: Head of Classics
Mr Hillier teaches Latin throughout the School, and teaches elements of the Classical Civilization course in the VI Form.

Nigel Mortimer MA, DPhil
Dr Mortimer teaches literature elements of the Classical Civilization course in the VI Form.

Paul Williams BA
Mr Williams teaches literature elements of the Classical Civilization course in the VI Form.

Stephanie Binnie MA
Mrs Binnie teaches junior Latin, and teaches literature elements of the Classical Civilization course in the VI Form.

Alison Horsey BA, MA
Mrs Horsey is a part-time teacher of Latin throughout the School.

Rachel Fawthrop MA
Mrs Fawthrop is a part-time teacher of Ancient Greek throughout the School.

A designated Classics classroom allows there to be a focus point for Classics in the centre of the school. However, with teachers from other departments also teaching Classics, the Classics department is able to benefit from a varying range of expertise.

New developments have seen the introduction of an A2 Classical Civilization study day in Cambridge, as well as an overnight trip to London to the British Museum and to an Aeneid Conference at the Francis Holland School.

The Classics Department teaches Latin, Ancient Greek and Classical Civilization throughout the School. Latin is compulsory in II and III Forms, before it becomes optional in IV Form and then can be chosen to study at GCSE, AS and A level.

Ancient Greek is offered in IV Form to those who have previously studied the language, and can then also be chosen to study at GCSE, AS and A level. Classical Civilization is offered at AS and A level; it can be studied with no prior knowledge of the subject before entering the Sixth Form.