Curriculum Intent Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3 Classics at Southend High School for Girls gives students the opportunity to study a subject that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. It will enhance their understanding of both the outside world and the world within, giving them a grounding of the foundations of western civilization and allowing them to explore the nuances of the human condition. Classics is the ultimate cross-curricular subject, comprising literature, languages, history, art, architecture, religion, mythology, philosophy and politics. This will enable students to grasp the links between their national curriculum subjects in a way not available to their peers elsewhere. The study of Classics will enable students to develop their ability to construct and evaluate arguments and analyse texts and artworks. In addition, it will enhance their vocabulary and develop their cultural literacy, allowing them to understand works of modern literature and scientific vocabulary that would otherwise be obscure. Great emphasis is placed on participating in class debates and students will develop their oracy, in particular their ability to speak in a clear, audible and professional manner, develop relevant arguments and think on their feet in order to respond to other debaters. By the end of Year 8, students will have developed a basic knowledge of the ancient world, have been introduced to some of the basics of the Latin language, and be able to read and understand ancient texts, construct arguments and debate their peers with increasing confidence. Ultimately SHSG Classics students will become eloquent and culturally literate citizens of the world with an appreciation of the roots of western civilization and the confidence and intellectual apparatus to approach it in their own way.
What does it feel like to be a student in the Classics Department in Key Stage 3?
Studying Classics at Southend High School for Girls is challenging and exciting. You will be expected to be curious both about the big questions such as the nature of society and the meaning of life and about the everyday nuances of human behaviour. You will be taught to analyse complex ancient texts, evaluate new and unfamiliar arguments and express your ideas with confidence and style in debate with your peers. You will also be given an introduction to the basics of the Latin language. By the end of your studies of Classics you will have acquired the ability to analyse difficult texts, construct logical arguments and express your views with eloquence and confidence.
Curriculum Intent Key Stage 5
Key Stage 5 Classics at Southend High School for Girls gives students the opportunity to study a subject that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. It will enhance their understanding of both the outside world and the world within, giving them a grounding of the foundations of western civilization and allowing them to explore the nuances of the human condition. Classics is the ultimate cross-curricular subject, comprising literature, history, art, architecture, religion, mythology, philosophy and politics. This will enable students to grasp the links between different parts of the curriculum in a deeper way. The study of Classics will enable students to develop their ability to construct and evaluate arguments, analyse texts and artworks and argue their point of view both in debates and in essays. In addition, it will enhance their vocabulary and develop their cultural literacy, allowing them to understand works of modern literature that would otherwise be obscure. By the end of Year 13, students will be able to read and analyse complex ancient texts, construct logical arguments, produce elegantly written essays and debate their peers with confidence and style. Ultimately SHSG Classics students will become eloquent and culturally literate citizens of the world with an appreciation of the roots of western civilization and the confidence and intellectual apparatus to approach it in their own way.
What does it feel like to be a student in the Classics Department in Key Stage 5?
Studying Classics at Southend High School for Girls is challenging and exciting. You will be expected to be curious both about the big questions such as the nature of society and the meaning of life and about the everyday nuances of human behaviour. You will be taught to analyse complex ancient texts, evaluate new and unfamiliar arguments and express your ideas with confidence and style, both on paper and in debate with your peers. You will be expected to support your studies by reading works of classical literature and modern academic scholarship outside the classroom and building up your own body of notes. By the end of your studies of Classics you will have acquired the ability to analyse difficult texts, construct logical arguments and express your views with eloquence and confidence.