Classics
Ethos and Aims
Study of the ancient world shows us why we in the West are as we are, with all our massive strengths and disastrous failings. For generations a classical education was considered a privilege for the few, not the many, but at Bewdley, we are proud to be a part of its revival in state secondary schools.
Classical Civilisation focuses on the civilisations of Greece and Rome, and is a wide-ranging subject involving the study of literature, material culture, ancient thought and ideas, and the ancient historical context: it fosters an interest in the ancient world and its cultures. From women in the ancient world, to the study of religious beliefs and ancient acts of intolerance, Classical Civilisation involves interesting discussions that are directly relevant to today’s world.
Students not only acquire specific Classical knowledge, but also important transferable skills such as analysing sources and developing independent, critical and evaluative approaches. They learn to formulate and support an argument and develop a valuable understanding of cultures very different from their own. Classics genuinely supports students in their understanding and appreciation of other subjects, such as English, History, Art and other aspects of the Bewdley curriculum.
The classical world is constantly being reinterpreted and students are surrounded by images and quotes from the classical world every day, from the architecture on Bewdley High Street; the theatre in the Jubilee gardens, to Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. At Bewdley we aim to harness this exposure to ancient ideas and encourage students to question how and why they have been subsumed into the modern world.
The Classics curriculum at KS4 & 5 is dictated by the OCR GCSE & A level syllabuses. However, we seek to choose modules that complement one other and give students the widest possible experience of the range of areas of study that Classics has to offer. The GCSE will provide learners with the opportunity to study the literature and visual/material culture of the classical world and acquire an understanding of their social, historical and cultural contexts.
Ensuring the curriculum that precedes the GCSE lays a foundation for core knowledge of antiquity and develops key skills, such as critical analysis, is vital. This is achieved through the Year 9 delivery of four bespoke units of Classics lessons, designed to give students a broad view of the classical world so they are more informed and better prepared for undertaking GCSE study. The aim is also to encourage increased uptake in the later school years. Classics is an increasingly popular choice at GCSE, however, representation at the lower end of the school is low due to timetabling restrictions. Studying Classical subjects is traditionally a privilege reserved for private schools and the aim of Classical Civilisation at Bewdley is to thrive and expand in this competitive environment, offering the opportunity of a Classical education to all. The introduction of a weekly KS3 class in Classics would underpin this aim perfectly. To increase the profile of the department, cross-curricular work also takes place with subjects such as English, History, Music and Drama.
Staffing
Mr J Willets – Head of Enterprise and Classics Department
Mr C Bromley – Teacher of Classics
Classics sits within the Enterprise and Classics department. It is led by Mr J Willets. an experienced History teacher with a passion for Classics, however the subject is taught at GCSE and A-Level by Mr C Bromley, a historian who this year has completed an Undergraduate Certificate in Classics at the University of Cambridge.
Intention
KS3
In KS3 Classical Civilisation, the intent is to provide an engaging and relevant curriculum for all abilities. The intent is also to prepare students for the start of their GCSE study halfway through Year 9. Within this intent, there is particular emphasis on maintaining the current trajectory of Classical studies at the Bewdley School as an inclusive and exciting GCSE choice. Careful monitoring of student progress and regular formative assessment is vital for supporting SEND students. Resources and approaches can then be tailored to meet the needs of these students. Every effort is made to support students who have had less opportunity to acquire cultural capital relating to the classical world. They are encouraged to experiment with different learning strategies and teaching staff encourage students to work as a team, supporting each other in their studies and creating and sharing resources.
It would be a fantastic foundation for Classics to expand as an offer to Year 7 and 8 so that a student’s first exposure to the classical world is not restricted to year 9.
KS4
It should be the right of every student to have carefully guided exposure to the classical world. It is our intention to engage and inspire our students regardless of ability or background. It is equally important to be able to challenge students to achieve their full potential. In KS4, students study OCR Classical Civilisation GCSE. The intent is to continue designing schemes of work which will develop motivated students who enjoy rising to the challenges of Classical study. Lessons and enrichment visits will build upon core knowledge of antiquity established in KS3. The intent is also to consistently provide and continuously adapt the curriculum to ensure core skills are taught in an engaging learning environment. As a grass-roots subject, this intent forms the basis for long-term planning of Classical Civilisation’s strategic development. Within this goal, it is clear that a well-designed curriculum will lead to increased uptake of Classical study in further education.
Equality
The Classics curriculum is designed with inclusivity and accessibility at its heart. The schemes of work, particularly in KS3, are designed to showcase a broad spectrum of life and accurately reflect the antiquity within the parameters of our current world view. This ensures that the core of our Classics content resonates with the socio-political issues that students will face in their lifetime. These issues include, but are not limited to, slavery, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality and imperialism.
Admission to study Classics at the Bewdley School is non-selective and so long as they uphold Bewdley’s core values, any student from any background with any characteristics may opt to apply. The only current barrier to undertaking Classical studies at the Bewdley School is timetabling and staffing restrictions which alters between academic years. There is also particular emphasis on adapting the curriculum to help monitor the progress of SEND and PP students. This falls under the intent of maintaining a curriculum that is not just accessible to all but engaging to all.
KS5
Students study OCR Classical Civilisation A level. The course, and the modules we choose within it, equips individuals to think socio-politically and to further refine skills of persuasion, critical thinking and source analysis, once again building upon key practise from Classical study at KS4. The curriculum will amply prepare students for higher study of Classics and related subjects at university. This promotion of high aspirations is further supported by regular attendance at Classical network events and university conferences. The Head of Department will regularly network with regional educators and nationally renowned scholars in the field of Classics to help promote higher aspirations and to inspire flexibility with improving the curriculum design. The department will also oversee guest lecturers at the Bewdley School and facilitate other super-curricular experiences which will support the fulfilment of this intent.
Implementation
Teachers will ensure that resources and teaching strategies are eliciting the best outcomes for students.
Structure
At KS3 our programme of study is bespoke and specifically designed to promote the love of Classics alongside the accumulation of a detailed understanding of the Classical world. This programme will be used as a foundation for medium and long-term planning, as this basis allows for further expansion into the broad and varied study of antiquity. This will be further supported by the whole-school literacy and numeracy strategies and policies.
Short-term planning will demonstrate a clear learning journey focusing on pupils’ progress, with strategies in place for adapted learning, remembering that all pupils are entitled to a challenging curriculum.
The evolution of the department has been a collaborative effort and is still evolving. It will be the responsibility of the Head of Department to ensure that expertise continues to be shared widely amongst staff at the Bewdley School. Any staff new to the delivery of Classics will be given plentiful support.
An extensive range of high-quality resources and opportunities will be used to enrich the curriculum through subject specific workshops and relevant projects.
Homework will be set where appropriate to link the curriculum with learning at home, this will have an emphasis on embedding gained knowledge or learning new knowledge ahead of time.
Impact
The Classics department will produce, review and maintain a curriculum that enables students to feel a resonance with the classical world. Classics at Bewdley will also provide students with a curriculum that showcases modern examples of Classical influence, ensuring antiquity stays alive and relevant. As part of this impact, the Classics curriculum is designed to create an engaging learning environment with motivated students. They will have a secure knowledge of the Classical world and know how to critically analyse it. Classics will also endeavour to provide students with the necessary life skills to enter a competitive and ever-changing world, such as resilience, perseverance and communication.
The department promises to enrich the lives of Classics students, providing them with cultural capital. As part of this impact, strong cross-curricular links will be maintained to subjects across the school, as well as ensuring use of school-wide strategies, such as knowledge organisers. Varied multi-media modern scholarship is embedded within each component and is used to promote higher aspirations of Classical study. The department aims to grow the number of students undertaking Classical studies in post-16 provision.