Classics

Why study Classics at The Perse?

Classics in Year 7 and 8 allows pupils to engage with the ancient world through language, myth and history, encountering unforgettable stories and individuals. Through the study of beginners’ Latin, Roman culture, ancient history and an introduction to Classical Greek, pupils develop cultural awareness, analytical thinking and an understanding of the enduring influence of the ancient world on modern society.

Exploring the ancient world

Pupils study beginners’ Latin, developing a foundational vocabulary, an eye for detail and an understanding of how the ancient language continues to influence English today. Alongside language learning, they explore aspects of Roman culture, ancient history and Classical Greek, building curiosity about the ancient world while developing the skills that underpin future study across the humanities.

Year 7 and 8 Classics is designed to be accessible to all, offering pupils a thought-provoking introduction to the ancient world while developing skills that remain relevant to 21st-century learners.

Beyond the classroom

Pupils can extend their learning through the Junior Classical Society, Acropolis, as well as reading competitions, creative writing competitions and Ludi Scaenici, the local Latin play competition. At The Perse, we believe Classics remains an impactful humanities subject that connects language with mythology, history, philosophy, art and culture, making it both relevant and alive.

Educational visits help bring classical study to life. Pupils have opportunities to visit exhibitions at the British Museum and accessible Roman sites, while the Classics Department’s wider programme includes visits to the Bay of Naples, Rome and Greece at later stages of pupils’ Perse journeys.

Recent highlights

Perse classicists have enjoyed considerable success in national competitions. A Year 7 pupil won the Key Stage 3 prize in the Classical Association Mythology Competition in 2025, while a Year 9 pupil was runner-up in the intermediate category of the Classical Association’s international Write, Speak, Design competition.

The student’s work was subsequently presented at the competition’s awards ceremony before being published in the Journal of Classics Teaching in 2026, reflecting the creativity, independence and scholarly curiosity fostered by Classics at The Perse.