Description
Our OCR A Level Latin online course is a comprehensive programme designed to cultivate transferable skills while deepening your understanding of the Latin language and its rich historical context. This course aims to inspire a lifelong passion for the Classical world by offering an engaging curriculum that explores ancient literature, values, and society.
The A Level Latin online syllabus builds on the foundational knowledge acquired at GCSE level, although prior completion of a GCSE in Latin is not a prerequisite for enrolment. The course introduces students to a broader range of vocabulary, more complex syntax and accidence, and an in-depth study of both prose and verse literature. As you progress, you’ll explore the works of various authors, honing your understanding of intricate Latin constructions. This comprehensive A Level Latin course online enables you to translate unseen passages and tackle either comprehension and grammar questions on unseen prose or translate English into Latin.
The curriculum also expands your study of ancient literature, offering the flexibility to delve into the works of a single author or explore the contributions of multiple authors. To further contextualise the set texts, learners are required to read additional literature in translation.
Whether you aim to continue your studies in Latin, Classics, or other subjects like English, History, Modern Foreign Languages, Philosophy, or Politics, our online Latin A Level provides an excellent academic foundation.
Homework, Assessment and Reporting
Sixth-form students enrolled in our A Level Latin online course are expected to complete a minimum of one homework assignment per subject each week. To thrive in the sixth form, students should also revise their class notes to reinforce learning. The guiding principle here is straightforward: an hour of independent study for every hour of class instruction.
To evaluate your progress, Level 5 internal assessments are conducted in June, and Level 6 internal mock assessments occur in November and March. Subsequent reports, containing grades for both attainment and effort, are issued at the end of the Autumn and Summer terms for Level 5 and after the mock assessments for Level 6 in the Autumn and Spring terms. These reports are supplemented by insightful comments from our Success Coaches and the Head Teacher.
Parental Engagement
Parents are warmly encouraged to utilise their family Teams account for maintaining regular dialogue with teachers about student progress. This interactive approach offers the advantage of more detailed tracking than what could be covered in a standard annual parent consultation evening.
By choosing our A Level Latin online course, you’re opting for an enriching educational journey that marries linguistic skill with cultural appreciation, opening doors to a wide range of academic and career opportunities.
Click here to see this year’s Assessment and Reporting schedule
The course will follow the current OCR A Level Latin specification (H443) and will enable learners to:
- develop an appropriate level of competence in the language studied;
- acquire the language skills which enable learners to read literary texts, both prose and verse, in the original language;
- develop an interest in, and enthusiasm for, the literary, historical and cultural features of the ancient world;
- acquire the literary skills which enable learners to read ancient literature, both prose and verse, in its original language with appropriate attention to literary techniques, styles and genres;
- apply analytical and evaluative skills at an appropriate level which show direct engagement with original texts in the ancient language;
- make an informed personal response to the material studied;
- begin to develop a sensitive and analytical approach to language generally;
- develop research and analytical skills that will empower them to become independent learners.
Candidates for OCR A Level Latin study the following topics:
Accidence and syntax required for Component 01 and Component 02:
Accidence:
- Nouns of all standard types, together with bos, domus, Iuppiter and vis
- Adjectives of all standard types, from all three declensions, including dives, pauper and vetus
- Adverbs
- Comparison of adjectives and adverbs
- Pronouns and pronominal adjectives and related forms
- Uses of prepositions
- Verbs of all standard types from all conjugations in all moods, voices and tenses, together with deponent, semi- deponent, defective, irregular and impersonal verbs including the impersonal passive of intransitive verbs
- Compound verbs of regular formation using all the common prefixes, including associated consonant and vowel changes, and where the prefix retains its normal meaning
- Cardinal numbers 1–1000 and ordinal numbers 1st – 10th
- Uses of prepositions
Syntax:
- Standard patterns of case usage
- Negation
- Direct statement, question (including deliberative) and command
- Prohibitions, exhortations and wishes
- Uses of the infinitive (as subject, as complement, prolative, historic)
- Uses of the participle (including ablative absolute)
- Uses of the subjunctive (e.g. potential, generic)
- Comparison (including the ablative of comparison)
- Uses of the gerund and gerundive (including the gerundive of obligation)
- Constructions using quominus and quin
- Use of dum and dummodo to mean ‘provided that’
- Subordinate clauses:
- Indirect statement (including extended oratio obliqua), question, command and prohibition
- Description (relative clauses, including common uses with the subjunctive)
- Purpose (including uses of the gerund and gerundive)
- Result (including the use of the comparative with quam ut)
- Conditional
- Causal
- Temporal
- Subordinate clauses within indirect speech
- Fearing, prevention and precaution
- Concessive
- Comparative
Prose Literature:
- Tacitus, Annals IV, 1–4 (… non adversus habebatur), 7–12, 39–41
- Cicero, Pro Cluentio, taken from Murder at Larinum, 27–32 & 35–37 English: Cicero, Pro Cluentio, 9–18, 43–61, 181–185;
Verse Literature:
- Virgil, Aeneid, Book XII 1–106, 614–727
- Virgil, Aeneid, Book XII 728–952 English: Virgil, Aeneid Book XII
These topics will be taught in Years 12 and 13 to prepare students for their OCR A Level examination.
The set texts for examination in 2023 and 2024 can be found in these editions from Bloomsbury:
- Cicero Pro Cluentio: A Selection
with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by Matthew Barr ISBN: 978-1350060340 - Tacitus Annals IV: A Selection
with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by Robert Cromarty ISBN: 978-1350060302 - Virgil Aeneid XII: A Selection
with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by James Burbidge ISBN: 978-1350059214
Learners must take all components: 01, 02, 03 and 04 to be awarded the OCR A Level in Latin.
Paper 1: Unseen Translation (01), written paper 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks 33% of A Level
Paper 2: Prose Composition or Comprehension (02), written paper 1 hour 15 minutes, 50 marks 17% of A Level
Paper 3: Prose Literature (03), written paper 2 hour, 75 marks 25% of A Level
Paper 4: Verse Literature (04), written paper, 2 hour, 75 marks 25% of A Level
Our lessons prepare students for June Series examinations only – at A level, not AS level.
It is the parents’ responsibility to arrange their child’s examinations; our teachers will provide all the support required. Most students will sit their examination papers at a school or college who accept private candidates. Some students sit their examinations at private examination centres.
Assessment, apart from the final A Level exam, will be carried out continuously throughout lessons, via homework or short tests.
If you are intending to study A Level Latin after IGCSE, we recommend that you spend some time in the summer holidays preparing. Here are some suggested activities:
Watch:
Latin Quarter films and video-clips
Read:
Cambridge Latin Anthology Prose
OCR A Level Latin textbooks to buy:
Cicero, Pro Cluentio: A Selection
Tacitus, Annals IV: A Selection
Virgil Aeneid XII: A Selection
Listen:
What does the A Level Latin online course offer?
The online Latin A Level course, adhering to the OCR syllabus, provides a comprehensive understanding of Latin language, ancient literature, and culture. The course aims to ignite a passion for Latin and the classical world that lasts a lifetime.
Is prior knowledge in Latin required for taking the Latin A Level course?
Though the course builds on skills acquired at the GCSE level, having a GCSE qualification in Latin is not a mandatory requirement. The course will introduce more complex aspects of Latin language and literature, catering to varying levels of prior knowledge.
What is the structure for assessments and homework in the online Latin A Level course?
Students must complete at least one homework assignment per subject weekly. For optimum success, they should engage in an hour of independent study for every hour of teaching. Internal assessments are conducted periodically, and detailed reports on performance are shared.
How can parents track their child’s performance in the Latin A Level online course?
Parents are encouraged to use a family Teams account to communicate with teachers, enabling more detailed tracking of the student’s progress beyond what is typically discussed during an annual parent-teacher meeting.
What skills will the Latin A Level course help develop?
The Latin A Level course helps students develop linguistic competence, analytical and evaluative skills, and a nuanced understanding of ancient literature and culture. These skills not only prepare students for further study in Latin or Classics but also serve as a solid foundation for various other subjects.
The teacher
Latin at Cambridge Home School Online is taught by Miss Petito. Click on the name below to find out more about our Latin teacher.