Welcome to Classical Civilisations (Year 9)

Classical Civilisations are the bedrock of modern society. From art to war, from music to religion, Classics has influenced life and lifestyles for thousands of years and continues to do so today. It leaves a long and lasting footprint which is seen, but not always recognised, by students every single day—from the classical architecture of local town halls to the engineering marvels of central heating and clean water systems pioneered by the Romans 2,000 years ago.

For generations, a classical education was considered a privilege for the few. We believe that Classics should never be restricted to a societal elite; instead, it must be offered as widely as possible. Widening access helps break the link between educational opportunity and disadvantage, raising pupils' aspirations, building the confidence required to progress to higher education, and enhancing life opportunities. By exploring ancient myths, architecture, history, and literature, students explore the foundations of the modern world and better navigate it.

 

Why the Subject is Important:

• Academic Progression & Excellence: Studying Classics develops articulate, informed, and empathetic students. It seamlessly coexists alongside academic disciplines like History and English, and is highly sought after by leading universities for prestigious courses such as Law, History, and English.
• Language & Literacy Skills: Classics supports language acquisition for pupils of all abilities, encouraging a structured approach to grammar and offering a strong foundation for literacy and modern foreign languages.
• Cultural Capital & Insight: It provides essential cultural insight and awareness, offering pupils new perspectives on contemporary issues. It equips students to decode the shared imaginative resource of Western culture, from museum labels to literary references.
• A Decolonised Perspective: Our curriculum prioritises "unlearning" Eurocentric misconceptions. We challenge the preconceived notion that the classical world was entirely uniform by anchoring historical figures—such as the Libyan Roman Emperor Septimius Severus—in their true, diverse, and globally accurate contexts.

 

Curriculum Journey & Learning Sequences

Our curriculum is knowledge-rich, synoptic, and GCSE-ready from lesson one. Rather than simply reciting facts, students focus on the "why" and "what," tracking the causes and consequences of actions taken by historical figures and gods alike. Year 9 assessments are written at an authentic GCSE pitch, ensuring that if the course transitions into a standalone qualification in Year 10, pupils are already experienced practitioners rather than beginners.

 

Oracy, Reading, Writing & Numeracy Integration

• Oracy: Structured around the classical art of persuasion and public speaking. Students engage in oral rehearsals of analytical arguments during assessment preparation to build strong communication skills.
• Reading & Textual Analysis: Pupils interrogate complex historical narratives, ancient literature, and modern scholarship (such as Mary Beard’s SPQR).
• Analytical Writing: High-frequency disciplinary writing focuses on constructing reasoned arguments, handling source utility, and deploying precise substantive language. Textual structures are heavily supported through paragraph frames and structured planning templates.
• Chronological & Spatial Awareness (Numeracy): Pupils utilise visual timelines, map scales, and historical dates across BCE/CE divides to develop a secure, structured understanding of chronological distance and geographical layouts.

 

Term 1 — Unit 1: Discovering the Greeks

An introduction to the vast richness of Greek society, exploring the foundational structures of Western thought.

• The Gods of Olympus: The Greek pantheon, their roles, and their influence on daily life.
• Greek Theatre: Different types of plays and how drama was deployed as a political tool.
• Athenian Democracy: The mechanics of direct democracy; its benefits and detriments as a system of governance.
• The Persian Wars (492–449 BCE): How the Greek triumph ensured the survival of their culture.
• Greek Architecture & Education: Design principles copied worldwide, and the divergent educational paths for boys and girls.
• The Great Thinkers, Law & Order: Discoveries in medicine, science, astronomy, and how society maintained order without a formal police force.

 

Term 2 — Unit 2: Roman Life and Society

A deep dive into the evolution of Rome from a small monarchy to a massive, diverse global empire.

• Foundation Myths: Romulus, Remus, and the cultural weight of Roman iconography.
• Roman Religion & Historiography: How gods controlled life, and how modern historians use conflicting or scarce evidence to construct the past.
• The Republic to Empire: The political structures designed to prevent monarchy, the rise and assassination of Julius Caesar, the civil wars, and Octavian’s transformation into Augustus.
• Invasion & Diversity in Roman Britain: The spread of Roman influence, the massive diversity driven by Roman legions recruited from across North Africa and Europe, and the unique roles of women.
• Boudicca & The Fall of Rome: The Iceni revolt of 61 CE, and the internal/external pressures that led to the collapse of the empire in 476 CE.

 

Term 3 — Unit 3: Classics: Past and Legacy

Connecting the ancient world directly to the modern day, looking inward at human nature, morality, and rhetoric.

• The Art of Persuasion: Analysing rhetoric techniques used by ancient speakers and how they map onto modern political leaders.
• ‘Shocking’ Behaviour: Interrogating the actions of classical ‘heroes’ (Achilles, Medea, Clytemnestra, Heracles) through a modern ethical lens.
• Free Speech: Examining the freedom to speak—and its restrictions—in the classical world, and its relevance to contemporary "cancel culture".

Assessment & Qualification Information

Qualification Outlook:

• Year 9 (Current Academic Year): Launched as a rigorous one-year foundational pilot course.
• Year 10 & 11 Prospectus: Successfully navigating the Year 9 curriculum paves the way for the subject to transition into a full, standalone GCSE qualification options track the following year.