Classics

Classics at Canford is thriving. We currently have 40 pupils studying Latin and/or Classical Civilisation at Advanced level and about 100 or so in the GCSE years. We also make provision outside the main curriculum for pupils who are interested in beginning or furthering their study of Classical Greek. Examination results in all three classical subjects have been consistently excellent (see Exam Results link top right).

When pupils arrive our aim in their first year (Shells) is to give them access to the classical world through studying the language of the Romans and the civilisation of both the Romans and Greeks. Nearly all pupils study Latin and there is a full range of sets, from absolute beginners to scholarship standard.

In addition to the natural appeal and intrinsic worth of the subject we believe that a study of Latin develops and enhances many useful and transferable skills, including problem solving, logical thought and critical analysis. Furthermore it provides a direct link to the thought processes of the Romans, opening up access to the sophisticated literature of the classical world in a unique way. Latin is a popular option choice for pupils at both GCSE and A level.

Classical Civilisation provides a natural gateway to the classical world for pupils of all ability levels, removing as it does the constraint of needing to be proficient in a classical language. It involves both historical and literary studies within the context of the classical worlds of Greece and Rome. The subject is a recent addition to the Canford curriculum and is well supported by pupils at both GCSE and A level.

The Classics Department is located in two well-appointed rooms – Agora and Forum – in the Lovell building. 

  • Colin Wilson
    Colin Wilson
    BA (Liverpool), PGCE (Leeds)

    Colin became Head of Classics at Canford School in September 2008, moving to Dorset from the North West where he enjoyed long and fulfilling spells at Hulme Grammar School, Oldham, and Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Blackburn. He has a First Class Honours degree in Classics from the University of Liverpool. He is also Academic Tutor to the 4th Form pupils in Wimborne House, master in charge of 3rd XI cricket and runs annual House competitions in table tennis and chess.

  • Maurice Walters
    Maurice Walters
    BA (Oxon)

    Maurice joined Canford in September 2008. He studied at St John’s College Oxford for his degree and was subsequently employed by the university to teach Latin to undergraduates while working towards an MPhil in Ancient History. He teaches Latin and Classical Civilisation throughout the school as well as Religious Studies for the Shells and IVth Form. He lives with his wife and young son in School House where he is resident tutor for Shells.

  • Patricia Knott
    Patricia Knott
    MA (Cantab), PGCE (Open)

    Tricia teaches Latin in the Shell Year which enables her to keep alive her enjoyment of Classics, which was the subject of her degree at New Hall (now Murray Edwards College) Cambridge. She joined the department in 2003, when she came to Canford as Head of Support for Learning. She is also a tutor in Salisbury House and involved in the Community Service programme.

  • Kathryn Watts
    Kathryn Watts
    BA (Sheffield), PGCE (Durham)

    Kathryn joined the department in 2010 to teach Latin in the Shell Year. She graduated from the University of Sheffield with a first class degree in English Literature and studied for her PGCE at Durham. As well as teaching in the English department, she is involved in the orchestra, cross-country, The Literary Society and Dead Goats’ Society – the school’s creative writing group.

  • Lucy McClelland
    Lucy McClelland
    BA (Hons.) Latin (University of Leeds), PGCE Secondary Classics, (Homerton College, Cambridge)

    Lucy joined the Classics department in September 2011 having completed a PGCE in Secondary Classics at Homerton College, Cambridge. She teaches Classics to all groups and also the Connections course to Shells. She is a tutor to the Fourth form pupils in de Lacy house and involved with the U14 hockey squad and Army section of the CCF. Lucy is a keen sports player, in particular tennis and running and also enjoys Drama and travelling.