Watford Grammar School

KEY STAGE 3

Year 7 Classics

In the first half of the Autumn Term pupils study the Ancient Greeks. By looking at vase paintings they learn something about their Greek everyday life and Greek mythology. They look at the Greek alphabet and practise identifying Greek words which are used in English.

After half term the pupils begin their study of Latin using the Minimus course. Minimus provides a very good introduction to Latin. Pupils practise reading Latin aloud and translating simple Latin sentences; they enjoy completing the language worksheets.

The setting for the stories is Roman Britain; research for this topic, using the library and the internet, encourages independent learning. Pupils are keen to share their knowledge with the rest of the class in lessons while homework shows attention to detail and presentation.

Roman mythology also proves popular with the pupils. Stories are discussed and analysed (using Edward de Bono’s Six Hats Thinking); the high standard of the models, made at home, demonstrate their understanding and enjoyment of this aspect of the course.

Pupils continue their study of Latin in the Spring Term and for the first half of the Summer Term. The school examination in May tests the pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the Ancient Greeks and Romans, including questions on language, civilisation and mythology.

In the second half of the Summer Term the pupils explore the influence of Ancient Greek and Latin on the English language and the links between Classical and English words. Topics include language used in Mathematics and Astronomy, Latin phrases and Latin abbreviations.

Our Year 7 pupils enjoy investigating the achievements of the Classical world. They begin to appreciate the value, contribution and relevance to European culture today. We hope that this journey into the past helps to fire their imaginations and deepen their own experience of life.

JUNIOR CLASSICS CLUB

In Junior Classics Club the Year 7 pupils are creating their own version of the story of Odysseus and they are also making masks for the characters.

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Lady’s Close House

Having looked carefully at the capital development needs of the school and the level of funding currently available to us, we now intend to focus our energy on restoring Lady's Close House.

This is the most historic building on the school site and is central to every girl's development at WGGS. Lady's Close is the Y7 base, where pupils have their own space and Form Rooms. The girls have special affection for the building because it represents the start of their careers at WGGS. The grand old house is also the home of the English Department.

The building is well over 100 years old and is in dire need of modernisation and refurbishment. We have ambitious plans to recapture the splendour and elegance of its history, while incorporating the technology and physical improvements that will bring Lady's Close House into the 21st century in appropriate WGGS style.

Fuller Life Fitness

Members of the WGGS school can enjoy generous membership discounts. View details...

 Beacon Schools School Achievement Award Maths & Computing  Thinking School  Arts Council, England  de Bono's Thinking   Charter Mark - Awarded for Excellence  Arts Colleges  SSE, Hertfordshire Accredited School