Classical Civilisation A Level

Applications Open - 1st November 2025

Applications Close - 15th December 2025

Entry Requirements - Candidates are required to obtain a minimum of 35 points from their best six GCSE subjects or equivalent (in the view of the School).

• Points will be on a 1-9 point scale, where Grade 1=1 and 2=2 etc.

• Candidates must also obtain at least a Grade 5 in English and Maths at GCSE or equivalent (in the view of the School).

Candidates must meet the specific requirements for each A Level course they wish to study as published in the 2025 Sixth Form Prospectus, which will be available on the website.

How to Apply - Do not apply through Kent Choices. Please apply via Cranbrook School Website using the following link: https://www.cranbrookschool.co.uk/admissions/sixth-form-admissions/

Students love Classical Civilisation because it caters to such a wide variety of different interests and disciplines – we study elements of drama, history, politics, philosophy, literature and religion.

Students also study visual and material culture (e.g. art, vases, architecture) related to the three areas of study. Through the study of the classical world in translation, students have access to the wisdom of the ancients and develop an understanding of the roots of our own cultural practises through the drawing of comparisons between our two societies.

The World of the Hero (40%) The Odyssey and The Aeneid

This involves study of Homer’s Odyssey (Year 12) and Virgil’s Aeneid (Year 13) in English translation. The epic of Homer, with its heroes, gods and monsters, has been in continuous study since its conception, and remains immensely popular today. Virgil’s Aeneid is a cornerstone of Western literature and focuses on the adventures of the her Aenaes and his journey from Troy to found the place that will one day become Rome.

Culture and the Arts (30%) Greek Theatre

Through reading two tragedies, Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Euripides’ Bacchae together with Aristophanes’ comedy Frogs, students will explore the significance of the central themes of gender, power and fate to both ancient and modern readers.

Beliefs and Ideas (30%) Love and Relationships

This component offers the opportunity for learners to recognise and relate to the passions, frustrations and delights of love in the ancient world. The ethical questions raised by these ideas are still of vital importance in the modern world and this unit will generate interesting and important discussions about love, desire, sex, sexuality and the institution of marriage. We read extracts from the famous Greek lesbian writer Sappho and the comic seduction manual of the Roman poet Ovid as well as looking at the philosophies of Plato and Seneca and examining the role of women in ancient society.

The course is all taught in English by subject specialists and students consistently achieve very good results.

The department runs annual overseas trips to Athens for Sixth Form.

Minimum Grade 5 in GCSE English Literature.

Note that NO Latin knowledge is required for this course.

In 2022 the department facilitated two students to continue their classical learning in Oxbridge universities, and annually there are always a number of students going on to read classical subjects at universities.

Classical subjects are recognised for the breadth of skills they develop. A quote from Reading University’s website states that: “Classics graduates are trained in clear thinking, research skills, diligence, independence, adaptability and the ability to understand people and situations in the world at large. As such, they are eagerly sought after by employers”.