Latin statement of intent:

At Emmanuel, Latin is a key component of our broad and balanced curriculum as we aspire for all children to experience ‘life in all its fullness’.  We intend for our Latin curriculum to:

• Develop a love of learning for the subject by developing children’s appreciation of classical civilisation.
• Celebrate and reflect the diversity of our school community by demonstrating how Latin is the basis of the Romance languages that many children speak in our school as their home language.

Introduction to Latin

Lain is a highly-regarded subject here at Emmanuel and over four years in Key Stage 2, learning Latin builds English language skills, introduces children to a range of literary and cultural concepts and raises awareness of local, regional and global history.

Taking a critical and forensic approach to the past while maintaining rigorous standards of scholarship, all pupils are exposed to a wide range of fun and engaging cultural and linguistic material, allowing them to make connections with their own language experience, knowledge of the past, and understanding of the present.

Our Latin curriculum offers every pupil the opportunity to build a range of transferable skills including a solid understanding of syntax, grammar and the basics of linguistics; a strong basis for learning Romance languages, which are closely connected to Latin; an ability to contextualise the history of Western civilisation; the use of critical thinking and problem solving strategies; and an introduction to a beautiful and culturally-significant language which underpins much of Western history.

‘The Latin Programme’ provides a systematic approach to Latin teaching across Key Stage 2 and lays the foundation for further foreign language teaching in Key Stage 3 and beyond.

Language skills from EYFS to Year 6

In EYFS and KS1, the home languages spoken by the children in our classes are a starting point for the celebration of different languages.  Children learn to say the register in different languages and parents and carers are invited into school to share books with the children in a variety of languages.

In KS2, children begin weekly Latin lessons taught by a Latin specialist with the aim of developing listening, reading and writing skills in line with National Curriculum expectations, as well as confidence and enjoyment in learning a new language.

The Latin programme develops knowledge of grammatical concepts incrementally, beginning with English before moving on to Latin, increasing in complexity and introducing new topics term-by-term.  These include: declension and function of Latin nouns; conjugation of Latin verbs; the usage of Latin adverbs and adjectives; the use of prepositions; and the role of gender in Latin language.

Lessons involve a range of activities including, games, simple drama activities and songs. Cultural topics are taught in conjunction with grammar and Latin provision includes involvement with film, drama and cooking projects.

Language learning is enriched by a Latin storyteller, who visits school twice a year, and by an after-school Spanish club, which supports children in applying their learning to a modern foreign language.