“Latin is the mother of all languages; he who knows Latin knows many languages.”
– Roger Bacon
Teaching Latin at primary level gives pupils a strong foundation in language skills, helping them understand grammar, vocabulary, and the roots of English words. It also introduces them to Roman culture and history, develops analytical thinking, and strengthens memory and problem-solving skills, all while fostering a love of learning languages from an early age.
Following the national curriculum for Latin, our intent is that all our children will:
Head
- Listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding
- Explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words.
- Use Latin to support vocabulary development
- Have a deeper understanding of grammatical structures in English and foreign languages.
Heart
- Foster a love of learning by appreciating stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language.
- Demonstrate a love of Latin and gain more confidence from being able to read and speak Latin.
- Be curious and fascinated by other languages.
- Learn to have a deeper appreciation of other cultures and countries. Show appreciation to the difficulty in speaking other languages than your first language.
Hand
- Engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help.
- Speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures.
- Develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases.
- Present ideas and information orally to a range of audiences.
- Read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing.
- Write phrases from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, to express ideas clearly.
- Describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing.
At English Martyrs, Latin is delivered through a carefully sequenced long‑term plan that guides pupils’ learning from their first exposure onward. Each stage builds on prior knowledge to gradually introduce vocabulary, grammar, translation skills and an understanding of Latin language structure. Through regular Latin lessons integrated into the school timetable, students practise reading, writing and translating short Latin passages, learn about classical roots that underpin English vocabulary, and develop awareness of ancient Roman culture and history. As they progress, learners deepen their linguistic understanding and confidence, laying a solid foundation for further study of languages, enriching their vocabulary, and enhancing their appreciation of classical heritage and modern language skills.
By following the structured long-term plan, pupils at English Martyrs develop a strong understanding of Latin vocabulary, grammar, and translation skills. They gain confidence in reading, writing, and interpreting Latin texts, while also deepening their knowledge of Roman culture and history.
Through this study, pupils enhance their English vocabulary and grammatical awareness, build analytical and linguistic skills, and develop a lifelong appreciation for languages and classical heritage, preparing them for further language learning in secondary school.
