Stowupland High School near Stowmarket looks to make Latin a GCSE option

A Suffolk high school is looking to introduce Latin as a GCSE subject following the success of a weekly club.

Around 15 pupils at Stowupland High School, near Stowmarket, have joined the Latin Club, learning about the language, how its vocabulary impacted the English language and the history and culture of the time.

The club is run by principal Lee Walker, who previously taught Latin and Greek and has a huge passion for the classics.

“We follow the Cambridge Latin course and the aim is to learn the language from scratch, to learn its influence on the English language and to look at the culture and history of the time,” he said.

“In Latin Club we follow the life of a man who lived in Pompeii in 79AD called Caecilius – and learn about the trials and tribulations of him and his family.

“Every week we read some Latin, talk about the vocabulary and grammar and learn about the rich culture of the time – the theatre, the gladiators, the trade, the stories and about everyday family life.

“It has been hugely popular, with around 15 students taking part, and is growing every week. We are now looking at introducing the subject as a GCSE option.”

However, Mr Walker said the Latin Club was not just popular with students.

“We even have some teachers come along, who add their expertise to the lesson,” he said.

“Ms Swinger, our science technician, was very helpful explaining which coloured dyes would be available at the time they could have used for clothes or to paint with.”

Year 9 Georgiana Palmer said: “I really enjoy Latin Club, we can learn about history of the time, the culture and how the Latin vocabulary has affected modern languages.”

Samuel Evemy, who is also in Year 9, said: “It’s such a fascinating subject and language to learn about. It’s so interesting to see a new perspective on how Rome shaped the modern world.”

Stowupland High School is part of John Milton Academy Trust.