Latin

Most girls study Latin for the first half of Year 5 and then continue learning it in the first half of Year 6.

The basis for the programme of learning is Minimus, a Latin course for children. It is based on the lives of a real family at the Roman fort of Vindolanda. Children are introduced gently to Latin vocabulary and grammar through stories. The coursebook also gives information on Roman life and introduces children to Greek Myths.

Children practise their translation skills and grammar through role-plays and creative tasks.

By the end of Year 6, children will have finished Minimus book 1 and might have started some content from Book 2. This includes: verbs in the present tense; adjectives and the notion of masculine, feminine and plural; adverbs; prepositions; nominative and accusative cases.

They love finding the links with other languages and show a keen interest in learning about how life was lived at the time of the eruption of Vesuvius at Pompeii.

The girls find that their Latin at High March is both rewarding and enjoyable. It also provides an excellent preparation for continuing the subject at their senior schools and assists them hugely with their future language studies.

The few girls who do not take Latin benefit from an additional Maths and English lesson in Years 5 and 6.