LATIN

GCSE Latin is a two year course which builds on the WJEC Level 1 qualification pupils have completed by the end of Year 9. The qualification presents pupils with more complex constructions and extends grammar knowledge (for instance by the introduction of passive verbs and wider vocabulary knowledge).

The examination board, Eduqas, offers a broad and varied syllabus with three elements assessed at the end of the two year course. These allow students to develop both the ability to read Latin, through unseen passages for translation and comprehension, and analyse and comment on the prescribed literature texts studied. In addition there is a civilisation paper which enables students to study in depth an area of Roman life.

Students have previously found the variety of the two year GCSE course to be very engaging. Similarly, strong examination results have reflected the benefits offered at Hymers through Lower School Latin in Years 7 and 8, and the strong foundation of the Year 9 Level 1 examination in which many pupils achieve A or A* grades.

Assessment: Latin GCSE (Eduqas)

Paper 1 – Latin Language – 1 hour 30 minutes exam worth 50% of the GCSE grade

Students will continue to read unseen passages of Latin, translating some sections, answering comprehension questions on others and looking carefully at how the Latin is constructed. There is a full vocabulary list for all the passages students will study, so students can be confident going into the examination that, if they have taken the time to learn all the words, they won’t get stuck.

Paper 2 – Latin Literature – 1 hour

15 minutes exam worth 30% of the GCSE grade

In the Literature section, the text students will read will be approximately 120 lines in length. Students will learn to comment on and discuss its content, structure and style. The texts are grouped around a particular theme and are varied, with both verse and prose texts offered. Previous years’ topics have included Chariot Racing, Magic and Superstition and Travel. This is an ‘Open Book’ examination, which means that students will have an unmarked copy of the studied text in the examination; students are being tested not on your ability to remember things, but rather understanding and appreciation of the text itself. A longer 16 mark essay question will test students’ abilities to use the evidence of the texts to respond to a question with a balanced and persuasive answer. The topics for 2024 onwards are either Love and Marriage or Countryside and Rural Life.

Paper 3 – Roman Civilisation – 1 hour exam worth 20% of the GCSE grade

In this paper, students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of an aspect of Roman civilisation, learn to recognise and respond to ancient source material, and then show that they can evaluate it in some way. Previous topics have included Religion, Daily life in a Roman town and the Roman army. The topics for 2024 onwards are either The City of Rome or Roman Family life.