Latin Intent
 

At St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, we believe that learning a foreign language opens doors to different cultures and ways of life. We are committed to providing a high-quality languages education that sparks curiosity about the rich and diverse culture of Latin.

From Year 3 to Year 6, our Latin curriculum allows pupils to express their thoughts and ideas in another language, while also developing the skills to respond to others, both in speech and writing. By learning Latin, our students lay a strong foundation for studying additional languages, equipping them with the tools to engage with the wider world, explore new opportunities and gain valuable experiences for the future.

National Curriculum Aims:

• Understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic sources. 
• Speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation.                                                                   
• Write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt.                                                                                                   
• Discover and develop an appreciation of a range of writing in the language studied.

Latin Curriculum Overview

Clarity of Learning Objectives
Our Latin curriculum follows a structured progression model.  Clear learning objectives are set across Key Stage 2, ensuring pupils develop a strong foundation in Latin grammar, vocabulary and cultural understanding. A detailed progression grid  outlines the step-by-step development of skills over time (see below).
 

Progression and Curriculum Sequencing
The curriculum is designed to build cumulatively, with each stage reinforcing prior learning. Key aspects include:

• Introduction of present tense verbs before moving on to past continuous and simple past tenses.

• Early focus on basic sentence structure before progressing to more complex grammatical features.

• Repeated use of key vocabulary to support retention and fluency.
   

Knowledge Development
New knowledge is introduced systematically through:

• Language Development: Pupils begin with simple sentence construction and gradually progress to more advanced grammar.

• Cultural Studies: Lessons incorporate Roman and Greek mythology, literature and history to enhance engagement and contextual understanding.

• Cross-Curricular Links: Latin supports English literacy, particularly in word roots, grammar and comprehension.
   

Appropriateness of Content and Activities
Lessons include structured and engaging activities designed to support learning:

• Vocabulary linked to English word roots, reinforcing literacy skills.

• Interactive methods such as role-play, storytelling and games.

• Dedicated lessons on Roman and Greek history, mythology and scientific contributions.
   

Literacy Skill Development
Latin enhances literacy through:

• Word Etymology: Helping pupils recognise Latin roots in English vocabulary.

• Grammar Reinforcement: Aligning with English Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG).

• Reading Comprehension: Encouraging structured translation and analytical thinking.
   

Scaffolding for New Learning
To ensure pupils build on prior knowledge effectively:

• The cumulative curriculum design prevents knowledge gaps.

• Quizzing/retrieval practice identify areas requiring reinforcement.

• Teacher guides and explanatory videos support consistent instruction.

Ensuring Meaningful Challenge
More able pupils are challenged through:

• Extended translation tasks beyond simple word-for-word rendering.

• Glossing techniques to decode unfamiliar words.

• Higher-level discussions and written work on classical literature and historical texts.

Adaptation for SEND Pupils
Latin is made accessible to all learners through structured support, including higher-support adaptations tailored to different learning needs.

Subject Leadership and Monitoring
Subject leadership is strengthened through:

• Lesson observations and learning walks to assess teaching quality.

• Regular staff feedback to build confidence in delivering Latin lessons.

• Pupil voice initiatives to assess engagement and effectiveness.

Retention and Long-Term Knowledge
Retention is reinforced through:

• A cumulative learning structure that consolidates prior knowledge.

• Regular assessments to monitor comprehension and application.

• Retrieval practice using revision tasks and interactive activities.

Focus on Crucial Learning Components
Key learning areas are emphasised through:

• Structured lesson plans identifying essential knowledge.

• Clear learning objectives and success criteria.

• Assessment-led reinforcement to ensure pupils grasp core concepts.

Identifying and Addressing Gaps in Knowledge
Teachers use structured assessments and feedback to address gaps in learning:

• Summative assessments at the end of each unit track pupil progress.

• Teacher observation and intervention provide targeted support.

• Higher-support worksheets scaffold learning for those needing additional guidance.

• Re-teaching and reinforcement strategies are implemented as required.

Ensuring Teaching Decisions Align with Curriculum Intent
All teaching decisions align with the curriculum’s intent through:

• Carefully sequenced lesson planning, ensuring knowledge builds progressively.

• Teacher guides and training resources to support effective lesson delivery.

• Clear learning objectives that align with long-term curriculum goals.

• Assessment and feedback loops, enabling teachers to adapt instruction based on pupil needs.

• Cross-curricular links, reinforcing learning and ensuring Latin supports literacy and broader educational development.