CLASSICS
The Classics Department is responsible for teaching three subjects on the curriculum: Latin, Classical Greek and Classical Civilisation. Despite their increasing rarity in the maintained sector of education, the classical languages are still highly valued as intellectual disciplines and as an unrivalled route to literacy at the highest level. This involves not only linguistic and literary understanding, but also knowledge and appreciation of the huge influence the ancient classical world has on our own. It is thanks to the Greeks and Romans that we have drama, philosophy, history, law, science and medicine as we understand them today; classical Greek and Roman ideals of art and architecture still form the baseline of our artistic standards.Wilson's School is one of the few non-fee-paying boys' schools in south London still offering courses in the classical languages.
LATIN
Latin is studied by all five forms in Years 7 and 8, using the Cambridge Latin Course. At the end of Year 8, GCSE option choices are made. Numbers of boys opting for Latin have been remained healthy over the last few years, and the A level course is available in the sixth form.
CLASSICAL GREEK
Classical Greek is available for those who wish to take an extra subject at GCSE (lessons take place on Friday period 6). Most Greek students also study Latin on the main timetable; the combination of Latin and Greek is the foundation of Classics as studied at university and is the ideal way of approaching the study of the ancient Greek and Roman world.CLASSICAL CIVILISATION
Delphi, Easter 2010
Classical Civilisation is available as an A level to all boys since knowledge of Greek and Latin is not required; ancient texts are read in translation. Topics may include Greek and Roman Epic (Homer's Iliad and Virgil's Aeneid), Greek Art & Architecture, Homer's Odyssey and Greek Tragedy (selected plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides).