St Bernard's Classics Curriculum Guide 2025-26

Curriculum Intent

At St Bernard’s High School, the study of Classics at Key Stages 4 and 5 seeks to inspire students to engage with the richness of ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Grounded in Gospel values of justice, respect, and service, students explore literature, history, philosophy, and material culture.

Head of Humanities Faculty: Mr J Toms

Year 10: GCSE Paper 1 (Women in the Ancient World)

Focus: Role, status, and depictions of women in Greece and Rome. Developing critical analysis of sources.

1.1 Women of Legend (Pandora, Helen, Medea)

1.2 Young Women in the Ancient World

1.3 Women in the Home

Focus: Improper women and those who defied norms.

1.4 Improper Women

1.5 Women and Religion

1.6 Women and Power (Cleopatra, Livia)

Focus: Warrior women and exam technique.

1.7 Warrior Women (Amazons)

1.8 Women to be Feared (Medusa, Clytemnestra)

Assessment: Year 10 Mock Exam (Paper 1)

Year 11: GCSE Paper 2 (The Homeric World)

Focus: Literary analysis, epic poetry, heroism, and Xenia.

Lit The Odyssey: Themes (Kleos, Xenia, Metis, Hubris)

Lit Narrative Techniques (Similes, Oral Tradition)

Char Odysseus, Penelope, Telemachus, Polyphemus

Focus: Archaeology, architecture, and artifacts.

Arch Mycenaean Sites (Lion Gate, Tiryns, Grave Circles)

Culture Mycenaean Society & Beliefs

Skills Source Analysis & Evaluative Reasoning

Paper 1 Revision (Women)

Paper 2 Revision (Homeric World)

Year 12: A-Level

Homer's Odyssey: Oral tradition & Composition

Characterisation: Achilles, Odysseus

Essay Skills: 10, 20, and 30 mark questions

Virgil's Aeneid: The Augustan Age context

Themes: Pietas, Fate, Rome vs. Carthage

Greek Theatre: Historical Background & Playwrights

Euripides: The Bacchae

Source Analysis: Black & Red Figure Pots

Year 13: A-Level

Sophocles: Oedipus the King

Aeschylus: The Frogs (Comedy)

Love & Relationships: Plato & Seneca

Sappho: Context and Poetry

Ovid: Context and Works

Comparisons: Greek vs Roman attitudes to Love

Exam Technique: Structuring high-level answers

Past Paper Review

Grading & Assessment

GCSE (OCR)

Paper 1: Women in the Ancient World (50%)
Paper 2: The Homeric World (50%)
Grades: 9 - 1 scale

A-Level (OCR)

Paper 1: The World of the Hero (40%)
Paper 2: Culture and the Arts (30%)
Paper 3: Beliefs and Ideas (30%)
Grades: A* - E scale

FAQ

Blue/black pen, green pen, pencil, ruler, highlighters. Exercise books and source booklets are provided. Year 12/13 students need folders and dividers.

Yes, it is an option for GCSE (Year 10 start) and A-Level (Year 12 start).

Law, Journalism, Museums & Heritage, Politics, Teaching, Civil Service, and Diplomacy. Classics develops analytical and critical thinking skills prized in many sectors.