Classics Olympiad

A dozen Year 11 Classicists took part in the inaugural GCSE Latin and Ancient World Olympiad at Tiffin School.

The girls competed in three separate teams – each named after goddesses of wisdom – against schools from across the country, completing rounds on ancient riddles, famous phrases, myths as emojis, and even contemporary TV shows and films translated into Latin!

The competition was tight, with only 9.5 points separating our teams. Well done to Team Athena (Kitty, Coco, Rose and Ula) who came an exemplary 5th out of 27 teams, with Team Metis (Julia, Arya, Reya and Marina F-G) and Team Minerva (Marina K, Maya, Louise and Isabella) hot on their heels – these results placed us as the highest-performing GDST school. We look forward very much to returning next year.

All pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 study Latin, with good numbers progressing to GCSE and A Level in Latin and Classical Greek; Classical Civilisation is also a popular choice in the Sixth Form. Many pupils go on to read classical subjects at leading universities; over the past four years, twelve pupils have received offers to read Classics at Oxford and Cambridge.  Pupils hear from high-profile speakers at the annual GDST Classical Conference and the department organises theatre trips, classical competitions, a trip to St Alban’s for Year 7, and adventures abroad to explore classical sites. Our Classics Teaching staff are also involved in outreach teaching at UCLA, one of our local partner schools.