Evidence suggests that children are better able to learn the sounds of new languages when they are younger. Although an ancient language, knowing Latin opens significant opportunities for those who learn it. For example, it helps students with other subjects like English, French, Spanish and even maths.’ DfE 2021

At Captain Cook Primary School, we have made the considered choice to study Latin in order to meet the National Curriculum language requirements.  The learning of a language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils. While Latin may seem like an archaic subject, its relevance is both profound and enduring! Latin is the root of many modern languages, including English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. By understanding Latin’s core vocabulary and grammatical structures, pupils gain a deeper understanding of their own language, improving their vocabulary, reading comprehension, and overall literacy.  In addition to language, Latin offers pupils a gateway into the classical civilizations of Ancient Rome and Greece, opening up new avenues for exploring history, literature, and art. Our planning covers all the components of the Programme of Study and, most importantly, is designed to provide the children with a love of learning languages, which they can then take with them to their secondary school. It is our intention that all children in KS2 will access quality teaching of Latin which will  provide an excellent foundation for  their studying modern languages in KS3.