Teacher Profile
Mrs Lorna Clarke, MA
Latin
My journey with Latin started when I was about 13 when my older brother started to teach me the basics at home. I enjoyed both the language and the culture so much that with his guidance I sat GCSEs in Latin (A) and Classical Civilisation (A*). By this time, I had formed a close bond not only with all things classical but with my fellow Latin student who is now my husband of 19 years! I moved schools at A-level to facilitate studying Latin (A) and Classical Civilisation (A) alongside History and English. I was delighted to get accepted to study Classics at Cambridge University where I took modules in Latin, Greek, Philosophy, Ancient History, Archaeology, and Greek & Latin Literature. I graduated after a very full three years with a 2.1 and a wealth of experience. Over the past number of years, I have tutored Latin privately, taught Entry-Level Latin with a 100% success rate, and helped my son achieve an excellent grade in GCSE Latin.
Christian Education is an essential for me. I attended a private Christian School from the ages of four to sixteen. My own children attend a local Christian School. It is a privilege to know that they are immersed in Christian teaching and morals during the most influential years of their lives. For us the perceived sacrifices are more than worth the peace of mind that comes with Christian Education. I firmly believe that children who are home educated by Christian family, or by extension a Christian school, should have access to a wide range of subjects and highly qualified teachers.
Why Latin?
For many Latin is a subject as dead as dead can be! Nothing could be further from the truth. Latin has been an essential in education – Christian and secular – for the past 2,000 years. There is no doubt that standards have dropped in almost every area of our society and the axing of Latin from our schools is no exception. At the very least the study of Latin greatly enhances understanding of English language and grammar. It helps with the study of other Romance languages and perhaps most importantly it opens up a whole world of literature, history, and culture. I could wax lyrical on the benefits of applying classical modes of education in a Christian context, but it is probably best to send me a private message if you have a burning desire to find out more!
I offer the following PX Classroom courses:
Key Stage 2 Latin Taster Course
A fun introduction to Latin and Roman Britain aimed at children aged 7 to 10. The course is only eight weeks long and so runs repeatedly throughout the school year according to demand.
- Textbook – Minimus
Latin is rooted in grammar and syntax and as such requires a systematic and accumulative approach. With this in mind, students aged eleven or above should start with this introductory course. No previous knowledge of the Latin language is required.
- OCR Board
- Textbook – Cambridge Latin Course Book 1
Key Stage 3 Intermediate Latin
This course builds on the Beginners course and optionally ends in an Entry-Level Certificate (OCR).
- OCR Board
- Textbook – Cambridge Latin Course Book 2
Key Stage 3 Classical Civilisation
It is natural when learning a language to be curious about the culture and history of the people who speak (or spoke) it.
This course will be beneficial to those taking both Latin and Greek as it covers Greek and Roman literature, history, and culture.
- OCR Board
- Uses the textbooks Latin to GCSE 1 & 2 and Essential GCSE Latin.
- The main set text is Virgil’s Aeneid, Book II (selections).
- This course takes Latin grammar and syntax to a new level (50%) and includes reading original Roman authors and commenting on their use of literary devices. The skills required for the literature part of the course (25%) are similar to those required for English Literature so an ability to write analytically is important, in addition to a good grasp of the Latin language as demonstrated at KS3. The final 25% of the course is taken up with the study of Roman literature and culture.
- If the PX Classrooms timetable does not work for you, or you need supplementary help, we may be able to come to our own arrangements.
- One-to-one tuition via Zoom.
What next?
I work closely with Mr Stephen Graham and aim to ensure that my PX students are ready to move on to Mr Graham’s PX Classrooms in KS3 & GCSE Greek, and GCSE Classical Civilisation, should they so wish.