Overview 

Students study Latin through the Suburani course, which introduces language, literature, and Roman civilisation in an engaging and accessible way. Pupils develop reading skills through stories set in ancient Rome and the wider Roman world, while also gaining insight into Roman culture, daily life, and history. By the end of Key Stage 3, students build a secure foundation in Latin vocabulary, grammar, and translation, alongside analytical and linguistic skills transferable to modern languages. 

Curriculum Intent 

The department aims to: 

• Develop pupils’ understanding of Latin vocabulary and grammar. 

• Enable students to read and understand adapted Latin texts with increasing independence. 

• Build knowledge of Roman civilisation, including social structures, urban life, and cultural practices. 

• Encourage analytical thinking through translation and comprehension. 

• Foster curiosity and appreciation for the ancient world and its influence on modern society. 

• Strengthen literacy and language awareness, including links to English vocabulary and grammar. 

Key knowledge includes: 

• Chapter 1-19 vocabulary  

• Grammatical structures (e.g. tenses, cases, endings) 

• Understanding of Ancient Roman culture and civilisation 

Key skills include: 

• Translating with increasing accuracy  

• Learning and acquiring Latin vocabulary and noticing it’s English derivations 

• Evaluating a range of sources from the Roman world  

Curriculum Implementation 

How the curriculum is taught and organised: 

Teaching Approach 

• Use of the Suburani textbook series (Books 1–2), following the narrative of Roman family through the reign of Emperor Nero. 

• Integrating language learning with cultural and historical context. 

• Emphasis is placed on reading Latin stories, supported by explicit grammar instruction. 

• Modelling and scaffolding of language before independent practice 

• Regular retrieval practice and spaced repetition of vocabulary  

• Use of translation and comprehension questions to deepen understanding 

Sequencing of Learning 

• Begins with translating simple sentence structures and core vocabulary in Year 7 

• Builds to noun cases and the past tenses in Year 8 

• Progresses to more complex structures (e.g. multiple tenses and all noun cases) in Year 9  

• Topics are revisited and extended to deepen understanding 

• Cultural topics are interwoven with language content to provide context 

Assessment 

• Regular formative assessment (vocabulary tests) 

• End-of-unit assessments covering all skills 

• Summative assessments aligned with GCSE-style tasks  

• Feedback focused on improving accuracy of translation 

Curriculum Impact 

Success is measured through: 

• Students’ ability to translate and understand increasingly complex Latin texts 

• Improved vocabulary retention and grammatical accuracy 

• Engagement with and understanding of Roman culture 

• Student confidence in tackling complex Latin texts 

• Assessment outcomes and progress data 

• Positive student feedback, indicating enjoyment and confidence in the ancient language 

• Quality of written work and responses to comprehension questions. 

Examples of impact: 

• Students translating Latin texts independently  

• Accurate translation of Latin with a clear understanding of grammatical structures 

• Successfully passing the fortnightly vocabulary tests 

Curriculum Structure 

Key Stage 3 

Year	Topics / Units	Key Knowledge & Skills
7	Suburani Book 1, Chapters 1-6: Rome, chariot races, gods, baths, slavery	Understanding Latin word order   Distinguishing 3 noun cases, both singular and plural  Learning Chapter 1-6 vocabulary  Using present tense verb endings    Learning 3 irregular verbs
8	Suburani Book 1, Chapters 6-10: the Roman invasion and conquest of Britannia, Boudica and Bath	Recognising 2 past tenses (imperfect and perfect tense)  Understanding the dative noun case   Understanding how adjectives are formed
9	Suburani Book 1 and 2, Chapters 11- 19: The Great Fire of Rome, theatre, mosaics, dinner parties, marriage, Pompeii, patrons and clients, funerals	Understanding the genitive noun case   Translating imperatives   Understanding relative clauses   Translating indirect statements   Recognising the pluperfect and future tenses  Translating present participles

Textbook(s): 

• Suburani, Book 1 and 2  

Useful Websites: 

• Suburani Website 

https://hands-up-education.org/suburani.html

Enrichment 

Clubs, trips