GCSE Latin

We follow the OCR specification to GCSE, which involves the following three elements:

1) Language work: we complete Books 4 and 5 of the Cambridge Latin Course, and learn the vocabulary prescribed on OCR's Defined Vocabulary List. A copy of this, along with the specification as a whole can be found at www.ocr.org. In the final examination there are two language papers:

  Paper 1: this paper takes the form of a momentum test: a passage divided into three connecting sections involving comprehension and translation. This paper is worth 30% of the overall mark and lasts 1 hour 15 minutes.

  Paper 3: this paper is worth 20% of the overall mark and simply involves translation into English. The paper is 45 minutes long.

2) Set text: we study about 120 lines of Virgil's 'Aeneid'. In the examination, students are expected to answer short comprehension questions and to translate a small portion of the text. The paper is worth 30% of the overall mark, and is 1 hour 15 minutes in length.

3) Roman Life Topics: this examination focuses on a particular aspect of Roman life. This year, Years 10 and 11 will be studying Daily Life in Roman Society. The exam, which involves answering several short questions and one mini-essay, is worth 20% of the overall mark and lasts 45 minutes.

From September 2009, BMS hopes to pilot the WJEC Level 2 Certificates in Latin, offering students the chance to be awarded two qualifications, both the equivalent of a GCSE. We shall post further details here as soon as we can.