At Argyle we have decided to adopt Latin as our Modern Foreign Language. This decision came about after taking part in the Latin Programme, initially for Years 5 and 6, and seeing the impact it had on their learning of English Grammar. Latin is the root of English and many other languages. It is a valuable key to understanding and learning these, and is a fun and fascinating subject for all children and so we now teach it to all children in Key Stage 2.
Storytelling, games and activities are used to introduce Latin grammar and to demonstrate the links between Latin and English. In this way we hope to unlock the complexities of English and instil a fascination for learning new languages. Further information can be found by clicking on the following link: The Latin Programme.
The Latin Programme gives Year 6 pupils the opportunity to visit Cambridge University to further their studies and give them experience of life at a university.
Roman Cooking
Children in years 3,4 and 5 learned how Romans prepared their food with teachers from the Latin programme.. They made flatbreads from a kind of wheat called spelt and ate it with mashed carrots and cumin seeds, mint and a little feta cheese. They also sprinkled dates with honey and cinnamon.
Aeneas Project
January 29th 2019 saw the premiere The Aeneas Project, a rap-retelling of the Aeneid featuring 300 students at the BFI IMAX. We are extremely proud to have been involved in this project and the making of the film. We were joined on the day, by hundreds of the films stars who gathered to watch our teachers perform live rap and an extract from Purcell's Dido and Aeneas before seeing themselves on the big screen.
The Aeneas Project premiere coincided with the launch of The Latin Programme: Via Facilis's 10-year anniversary, celebrating the continued success of their small charity. The film captures the essence of what the Latin Programme: Via Facilis has been doing for the last 10 years with a showcase of the talented young people they work with. The programme believes that young children, whatever their background, should have the chance to learn an ancient language whilst discovering the patterns, history and grammar that underpins their own and do so in a way that is creative, imaginative and relevant to today's world. The film captures the essence of what the Latin Programme: Via Facilis has been doing for the last 10 years. Produced by the Latin Programme: Via Facilis, written by Lucia Yandoli, with music composed by Jonathan Goddard, Ed West, J.F. Mordo and Jazzyman, the Aeneas Project turns up the volume on the voices of the children - their readings, their raps and their re-tellings as well as the language of the poetry itself.
The Aeneid is relevant to the lives of children in London today. Focussing on rich but accessible themes of 'journeys' and 'finding inspiration for the future' allows the children to re-frame their own experience through this epic poem and allows us, as the audience to re-experience the story through their eyes.