AS Examination (AQA Specification)
Unit 1: 1½ hours: 50% of the total AS marks: 25% of the total A level marks
Women In Athens and Rome
A study of freeborn women in Classical Athens, and of Roman women in the late Republic and early Empire. Law-court
speeches, historical accounts, letters and a comedy play from the time will be used to develop a knowledge and
understanding of the legal status and rôles of women in public and private life, including religion, in Athens and Rome, and
the religious, political and cultural values and attitudes implicit in the position and treatment of women in each society.
Year 12 Advanced Subsidiary Award
Unit 2: 1½ hours: 50% of the total AS marks: 25% of the total A level marks
Homer’s Iliad
A critical study of selected books of the Iliad, Homer’s epic poem which tells the story of the last year of the Trojan War.
Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of plot, characterisation, oral composition, narrative and descriptive
techniques, the role of fate and the gods, relationships, the Heroic Code and concepts of honour and revenge, the
portrayal of war and the religious, cultural and social values and concepts implicit in the poem.
A2 Examination (AQA Specification)
Unit 3: 1½ hours: 25% of the total A level marks
Greek Tragedy
A critical study in their religious, cultural and social context of Sophocles’ King Oedipus and Antigone, and Euripides’, Medea and
Hippolytus. Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of the structure of the plots, characterisation, the conventions and
production of tragedies in fifth-century Athens, the use of the chorus, and dramatic techniques and effects.
Year 13 Advanced Level Award
Unit 4: 1½ hours: 25% of the total A level marks
Virgil’s Aeneid
A critical study in its religious, political, cultural and social context of selected books of Virgil’s Aeneid. Students will develop a knowledge
and understanding of plot, characterisation, narrative and descriptive techniques, Homeric influence, fate, the gods and human
responsibility, relationships, concepts of heroism, moral values and the links between the Aeneid and the historical circumstances in
which it was composed.
Comments from the departing Y13 are as follows:
“Classics was the subject which enticed me to study in High Storrs sixth form. This two year study of the
literature and civilisation of ancient Greece and Rome has been truly inspirational...” Donald Greenfield
“Classics was the reason that I chose High Storrs for the sixth form and I’m glad that I did. In the two
years that I have been here it has been my favourite subject. For anyone who enjoys literature, it is a
brilliant course with plenty of plays and also Homer’s ‘Iliad’ and Virgil’s ‘Aeneid’. Even if you have not
done Classics, it is easy enough to pick up and completely fun to learn. Also we have the most enthusiastic
teacher for it. With the brilliance of this course, I’ve now applied to do Classical Civilisation at university
next year.” Zoe Ollerenshaw
“Taking Classics A level has been an immensely rewarding experience. Learning about the ancient world
is not only extremely interesting in itself, but helps in understanding the modern world. Classics has also
given me skills useful in other academic subjects.” Daniel Eastment
“Taking A level Classics has truly been a wonderful experience for me. As well as being by far the most
interesting of my chosen subjects, it has given me transferable skills which I have applied to my other
studies with great effect.”
Ben Poziewski Koziel
“Studying Classics has been a brilliant experience. Miss Johnson...pushes you to reach your potential
while still keeping you enthusiastic about the subject. The topics are interesting, the classes are
entertaining and the content can be fascinating.” Gemma Allen
“I think that Classics has been one of my best subjects from GCSE and A level. I have really enjoyed doing
all aspects of the Classics course...and it’s really good to have a teacher that really enjoys the
subject...Classics is also good for helping with other subjects because it uses many skills like essay writing,
analytical skills etc. The classes themselves are really fun and there are many different ways of learning
so it’s not all the same...”
Harriet Parker-Price
Comments from the current Y12 are as follows:
I am new to this course and I have not found it too challenging as I’ve been able to apply skills which I’ve
already acquired. My class has been really friendly and I am enjoying the classwork on Athenian
women, the heroic poetry and Aristophanes plays. I am taking two histories including Classics, English
Literature and Psychology. History skills correlate with those in English Literature, and I’ve found that
taking these subjects together has been really beneficial – Afshan.
I did Classics for GCSE and found it so interesting I decided to continue it at A level. The group is always
very friendly and supportive. I’ve always loved the Classical literature we study for example the Iliad
and the culture of the people and the Gods – Rosie.
Classis is totally epic. It’s totally great if you like reading, films and stuff. You won’t regret taking it.
The group’s awesome. The subject’s awesome. The people are awesome. It’s a win-win subject – Freya.
I picked Classics last year because I enjoyed it at GCSE. The course is very different to last year and in
some ways more enjoyable. Classics helps me with most of my other subjects, it fits in really well with
English Lit especially. Classics is definitely my favourite subject – Lucy Howarth.
I took Classics for A Level because I enjoyed it at GCSE. The class size is quite small so you get to know
everyone well and have fun group discussions. The lessons are always interesting and the essays make
good practice for doing coursework in subjects such as English Literature and Film Studies – Jodie.
The lessons are never boring, we have group discussions that help us to learn. If you are ever in need of
help you can ask anyone in your group and even the teacher, it’s very supportive. Classics slots in well
with my other A levels, especially English Literature because there is a lot of cross over. I would
recommend Classics strongly – Sophie Storrs.
Classics is my most enjoyable lesson. The group is really friendly and the topics are really interesting.
The lessons are always different, with lots of group discussions, so it’s never boring. It complements
English Literature well, but is also a nice change from my other scientific subjects – Ruth Jones.
Classics is an interesting AS Level and goes well with Sociology, as both subjects talk about women’s role
in society. Women at the Thesmophoria is a very amusing play, so Classics is also good for people who
love a good laugh! – Clare Webb.
Having not done Classics at GCSE I am surprised at how much I am enjoying it. It goes brilliantly with
my other subjects, English Literature and Theatre Studies. It is engaging and interesting – Sophie
Whitfield.
I chose to take Classics as an A Level subject having never done it before and I am really enjoying it. I
have found everybody really helpful and the group sizes are small which really helps because we have
class discussions and everybody gets involved. Classics also goes really well with the other subjects I have
taken – Nina Burnham.