Our aim

We introduce students to the ancient world through a curriculum that includes Latin in Years 7 and 8, and Latin, Greek and ancient history from Year 9 upwards.

Students who would prefer to study ancient historical sources, both textual (in English translation) and visual, rather than focus on the Greek and Latin languages and the literature written in them, can choose ancient history to find out more about the ancient Mediterranean world.

The modern world is fascinated by its ancient predecessor, as can be seen the ‘Gladiator effect’ that Hollywood has experienced in recent years. Studying ancient history enables students to find out more about the reality of ancient civilisations. As well as studying ancient cultures for their own sake, we help students make links between today’s world and the societies of the past.

Students encounter some of the key figures from world history, consider the events in which they participated, and investigate how exactly it is that we know (or think we know) what happened in the ancient world. Interpreting source material enables students to develop analytical skills, the ability to discern reliability and authorial intent, and serious essay-writing expertise.

The tradition of classical learning at The Perse is a long and distinguished one which stretches from the innovative teaching of Dr W.H.D. Rouse in the early twentieth century right up to the present, when students leave The Perse to pursue classical courses at top universities including Oxford and Cambridge.

Learning journey - Years 7 to 9

We give students a good flavour of ancient history during their Latin lessons in Years 7 and 8, focusing on Pompeii in Year 7 and Roman Britain and Egypt in Year 8. Pupils can choose to study an introductory ancient history course during Year 9 before embarking upon the GCSE course in Year 10.

Our Year 9 Ancient History course provides pupils with an overview of “what happened” in the Mediterranean world from the legendary Trojan War right through to the end of the Roman Empire.  Pupils will learn about the key events and important individuals of Greece and Rome, with occasional investigations of Egypt and Persia.  They will begin to examine ancient source material and to develop their skills as ancient historians.

Learning journey - GCSE

The GCSE course starts in the September of Year 10, and those who have taken the Year 9 course (or have other experience of classical study) will be best placed to make a success of the subject, although in some circumstances pupils can begin their study of ancient history at this stage. Students do not need any knowledge of Latin or Greek, as all textual sources studied are read in English translation.

The GCSE course comprises study of two components, “Greece and Persia” and “Rome and its neighbours”. For “Greece and Persia”, pupils complete a period study on the Persian Empire (559-465 BC) and a depth study on Alexander the Great (356-323 BC). For “Rome and its neighbours”, pupils complete a period study on the early history of Rome (753-440 BC) and a depth study on Cleopatra and the relationship between Rome and Egypt (69-30 BC).

Providing stretch

We set half-termly suggestions for pupils who would like to go beyond the curriculum, from looking into how the ancient sources have been adapted by reading a historical novel, to considering what in our era would count as a source for future historians.

We run trips to local museums and to archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.  In recent years we have visited Sicily, the Bay of Naples, Greece and Rome, exploring the ancient world through sites and museums, discovering modern culture and learning about the geography of each area.

Beyond the classroom

We regularly hold fascinating talks on classical themes, and run clubs, societies and competitions.

Some talks are organised by our 42 society, such a lecture on ‘How the Roman gods can predict your future’ by Dr Jerry Toner, Director of Studies in classics at Churchill College, Cambridge and an Old Persean, while some are given by students, perhaps as part of their EPQ, such as a presentation assessing evidence that the ancient Greeks had post-traumatic stress disorder.

Lyceum is the classical society for Years 9 to 11. Named for Aristotle’s famous philosophical meeting place, the society meets weekly to present, discuss and debate the relationship between the classical and modern worlds, exploring the work of authors, artists, politicians and film makers.