Delve into thrilling ancient cultures that continue to influence aspects of our lives today – from politics, language and law to literature, art and architecture.
The Classics department offers four separate subjects: Ancient History, Classical Civilisation, Greek and Latin. Studying these subjects gives pupils an important grounding in the culture, literature and ideas of the classical world, and its enduring influence on modern, western society.
Classics has much to offer pupils at every level, and there is something for everyone. Pupils can study any combination of classical subjects, either in the original Latin or Greek, or in translation.
Pupils explore and experience exciting and challenging cultures that can seem far removed from our own, but which resonate in so many aspects of our lives today – from government and legal systems, to language and architecture.
All pupils study a classical subject in their first year (Fourth Form), and many choose classical subjects at both GCSE and A level. At GCSE, pupils can choose to pursue Greek and Latin, Latin only, Ancient History or a combination of these – enabling pupils to study both linguistic and non-linguistic subjects together. Classical Civilisation, Greek, and Latin are available to study individually at A level.
A good number of our pupils go on to study Classics or related subjects at university, including Oxford and Cambridge.
Classical subjects are an excellent option not just for pupils who wish to pursue Classics at university, but also for those applying for many other disciplines, such as Law, Humanities, Mathematics and Science.
Pupils have many opportunities to extend their classical studies at Uppingham. We host talks and lectures by prominent classicists, attend performances of classical plays, and run a number of extra-curricular clubs, including the Classical Film Society, Sixth Form Classics Society and Linguistics Society. There is a popular annual trip to Greece or Italy for Fifth Form pupils, alongside regular day trips to exhibitions at the British Museum and the Cambridge Cast Gallery.