Classical Civilisation offers a varied and detailed study of significant aspects of Greek and Roman literature and culture and their influence on modern thought. You will study primary classical sources, including texts in translation and material evidence from the ancient world. Each unit is examined through source-based questions and essays. If you have a GCSE in Latin, Greek or Classical Civilisation, this will enhance your experience, but no previous experience in these subjects is required, and no knowledge of ancient languages is expected. The World of the Hero: Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid 40% The poems of Homer were considered by the Greeks themselves to be the foundation of Greek culture. You will read select books of the Odyssey, the story of the Trojan War hero’s homecoming where he encounters monsters like the Cyclops and journeys to the underworld to face the suitors who are trying to seduce his loyal wife Penelope, and so reclaim his kingdom. Drawing inspiration from Homer, as well as from his own cultural and political context, Virgil in the Aeneid explored what it was to be a hero in the Roman world. You will follow a band of Trojans escaping the fall of Troy, led by the ‘pious’ Aeneas, and see how this connects to Rome’s imperial destiny. Both epics, with their heroes, gods and their mythical and mystical tales, have been in continuous study since their conception and have proved enduringly popular. Culture and the Arts: Greek Theatre 30% The drama produced in the ancient Greek theatre forms some of the most powerful literature of the ancient world and has had a profound and wide-reaching influence on modern culture. To fully understand this cultural phenomenon requires studying not only the plays but also the context in which they develop, such as physical theatre space. The study of the production of Greek drama is coupled with an in-depth study of two tragedies, Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Euripides’ Bacchae, tragedies whose themes of justice, vengeance, heroism and religion are of significant relevance as much to the modern audience as they were to that of the original performance. Also studied is Aristophanes’ comedy Frogs, with its famed satire of tragedy. Beliefs and Ideas: Love and Relationships 30% Ideas surrounding love and relationships are key aspects of the literature, thoughts and ethics of any society. In this unit, you will be able to recognise and relate to the passions, frustrations and delights of love in the ancient world. Ancient ideas about men, women and marriage will enable you to discuss the reality of love and relationships in everyday life. You will also study love and relationships in poetry. Sappho is one of the very few female voices in the ancient world; the context of her life is fascinating and her verse is powerful and evocative. Ovid offers a lighter presentation of relationships and concentrates on the fun and flirtation of budding romances.
For popular courses such as Economics, English Literature, History, Medicine, or Psychology, all of the competitive universities require at least grade AAA at A Level or, usually, a score of 37-39 IB points; the most competitive require A*AA (or even occasionally A*A*A) or 7 points in one or more HL subject. Universities such as Bath, Bristol, Durham, Imperial, Manchester, UCL and Warwick may also require A*AA or 7 points in an HL subject for courses in Sciences, Engineering or Mathematics; a few of these courses will require IB students to have 7 points in a specific HL Science or Mathematics and A Level students to have A* in a specific Science or Mathematics. Cambridge currently requires a minimum of A Level grades of A*AA for all Arts courses and for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, and A*A*A for all Science courses, Computer Science and Economics. Irrespective of course, the standard IB requirement is 40-42 points, including 776 in the three Higher Level subjects. In practice, however, higher (or lower) offers are sometimes made to both A Level and IB students; these are decided on an individual basis. Oxford currently requires A Level grades of AAA for all Arts courses and for Human Sciences, A*AA for most Science courses, Economics and Management, Geography, and Psychology, Philosophy & Linguistics, and A*A*A for Chemistry, Engineering and Mathematics courses. Irrespective of course, the standard IB requirement is 38-40 points with 666-776 in the three Higher Level subjects. Unlike at Cambridge, these entry requirements are standardised across the university and are rarely raised or lowered.
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Hammersmith and Fulham |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Girls |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £26,831 |
| Address | Iffley Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 0PG |
Classical Civilisation offers a varied and detailed study of significant aspects of Greek and Roman literature and culture and their influence on modern thought. You will study primary classical sources, including texts in translation and material evidence from the ancient world. Each unit is examined through source-based questions and essays. If you have a GCSE in Latin, Greek or Classical Civilisation, this will enhance your experience, but no previous experience in these subjects is required, and no knowledge of ancient languages is expected. The World of the Hero: Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid 40% The poems of Homer were considered by the Greeks themselves to be the foundation of Greek culture. You will read select books of the Odyssey, the story of the Trojan War hero’s homecoming where he encounters monsters like the Cyclops and journeys to the underworld to face the suitors who are trying to seduce his loyal wife Penelope, and so reclaim his kingdom. Drawing inspiration from Homer, as well as from his own cultural and political context, Virgil in the Aeneid explored what it was to be a hero in the Roman world. You will follow a band of Trojans escaping the fall of Troy, led by the ‘pious’ Aeneas, and see how this connects to Rome’s imperial destiny. Both epics, with their heroes, gods and their mythical and mystical tales, have been in continuous study since their conception and have proved enduringly popular. Culture and the Arts: Greek Theatre 30% The drama produced in the ancient Greek theatre forms some of the most powerful literature of the ancient world and has had a profound and wide-reaching influence on modern culture. To fully understand this cultural phenomenon requires studying not only the plays but also the context in which they develop, such as physical theatre space. The study of the production of Greek drama is coupled with an in-depth study of two tragedies, Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Euripides’ Bacchae, tragedies whose themes of justice, vengeance, heroism and religion are of significant relevance as much to the modern audience as they were to that of the original performance. Also studied is Aristophanes’ comedy Frogs, with its famed satire of tragedy. Beliefs and Ideas: Love and Relationships 30% Ideas surrounding love and relationships are key aspects of the literature, thoughts and ethics of any society. In this unit, you will be able to recognise and relate to the passions, frustrations and delights of love in the ancient world. Ancient ideas about men, women and marriage will enable you to discuss the reality of love and relationships in everyday life. You will also study love and relationships in poetry. Sappho is one of the very few female voices in the ancient world; the context of her life is fascinating and her verse is powerful and evocative. Ovid offers a lighter presentation of relationships and concentrates on the fun and flirtation of budding romances.
For popular courses such as Economics, English Literature, History, Medicine, or Psychology, all of the competitive universities require at least grade AAA at A Level or, usually, a score of 37-39 IB points; the most competitive require A*AA (or even occasionally A*A*A) or 7 points in one or more HL subject. Universities such as Bath, Bristol, Durham, Imperial, Manchester, UCL and Warwick may also require A*AA or 7 points in an HL subject for courses in Sciences, Engineering or Mathematics; a few of these courses will require IB students to have 7 points in a specific HL Science or Mathematics and A Level students to have A* in a specific Science or Mathematics. Cambridge currently requires a minimum of A Level grades of A*AA for all Arts courses and for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, and A*A*A for all Science courses, Computer Science and Economics. Irrespective of course, the standard IB requirement is 40-42 points, including 776 in the three Higher Level subjects. In practice, however, higher (or lower) offers are sometimes made to both A Level and IB students; these are decided on an individual basis. Oxford currently requires A Level grades of AAA for all Arts courses and for Human Sciences, A*AA for most Science courses, Economics and Management, Geography, and Psychology, Philosophy & Linguistics, and A*A*A for Chemistry, Engineering and Mathematics courses. Irrespective of course, the standard IB requirement is 38-40 points with 666-776 in the three Higher Level subjects. Unlike at Cambridge, these entry requirements are standardised across the university and are rarely raised or lowered.
