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Classics

To study the extraordinarily innovative societies of ancient Greece and Rome is to understand the ideas and forces which shaped modern Europe. Delving back, therefore, into the roots of our social, cultural and linguistic inheritance allows us more deeply to understand ourselves while a knowledge of the classical languages of Latin and Greek enriches our own thoughts, ideas and the speech by which we express them.

For this reason, we set great store by the study of the classics which is compulsory in Years 7 and 8, with an opportunity to take the subject further through Latin and Greek up to GCSE and pre-U and Ancient History at Advanced Level. The disciplines of clear thought and measured expression gained through a study of the classics benefit all areas of the curriculum, which is why the classics have been such an important cornerstone of English education from its earliest schools.

Our approach is broadly traditional with a thorough grounding in grammar, syntax and vocabulary. By this means, the boys can understand how any language, including their own, works. At the same time, the study provides a foundation for the study of other Latin-based languages such as Spanish and French. Their understanding of the classical world is enhanced with numerous visits to museums and theatres and trips to local archaeological sites and to the Mediterranean.

The department of 6 full-time staff (from September 2013) has a broad range of academic interests within the discipline and its members have published work on areas including Greek tragedy, classical epic poetry and Roman historiography.

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Mr Henry Drew BA MSt

Head of Classics
drewhms@dulwich.org.uk