The Latin GCSE course
In choosing to study Latin you will discover the roots of culture and language which shape Europe even today.
For the language component of the course, you will study texts and stories in Latin to build knowledge and understanding of Latin vocabulary and grammar. This constitutes 50% of the course and provides a solid grounding for study of classical Latin at advanced level.
For the Prose and Verse Literature component learners study Latin set texts, learning to answer questions in English on aspects of content and to respond to the ancient literature they have studied. The Prose and Literature element constitutes 25% of the final examination.
Finally, in the Literature and Culture component, learners study two topics on Roman civilisation and culture using the sources in a prescribed sources booklet in order to answer questions in English on aspects of the fascinating and enthralling civilisation of the Roman world. The Literature and Culture component constitutes the remaining 25% of the specification.
The course is split into 9 main modules as shown below.
- Module 1: Amor – Conflicting Emotions
- Module 2: Myths and Beliefs
- Module 3: The Circus Maximus
- Module 4: Amor – Otium
- Module 5: The Theatre at Pompeii
- Module 6: The Roman Gods
- Module 7: Dinner Parties
- Module 8: Life after Death
- Module 9: Baucis et Philemon
As you work through the course you will submit 10 Tutor-Marked Assignments across 51 lessons. These are formative assessments so you and your tutor can gauge your progress.
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Exams and Assessment
The course prepares you for the OCR GCSE (9-1) in Latin (J282) Specification
Oxford Home Schooling has selected the following papers from the syllabus for study.
- Paper 01: Language (J282/01)
- 1.5 hours
- 50% of the total marks
- Paper 04: Verse Literature A (J282/04)
- 1 hour
- 25% of the total marks
- Paper 6: Literature and Culture (J282/06)
- 1 hour
- 25% of the total marks
Course duration and study time
When you enrol with Oxford Home Schooling, we will agree on an intended examination date with you. The current default exam date is Summer 2026. Your support will last all the way up to this examination date, regardless of whether you decide to do the course in 12 months or 18. This is what your fee covers. If you wish to prolong the period of support and/or defer your examination date, new arrangements will need to be made.
200 hours of study are recommended for this course. These modules will be used for 2025 and 2026 examinations.
Online Course or Paper Based? Additional Tuition? It’s your choice!
All of our GCSE students receive:
- Traditional printed learning materials
- Access to our online resources with on-the-go access to all your regular lessons
- The support of a fully qualified teacher online and by phone
- You will have the same tutor through your course which will enable you to build a good working relationship. They generally work some evenings and weekends as well as through the holidays.
- You also have the choice of purchasing extra one to one tutor time on an ad hoc basis for those few occasions when you may feel you need it.
Meet Our Tutors
I’ve had the honour of teaching from Play Group (I still marvel at how well a small group of three-year-olds took to Mandarin Chinese!) up to A Level and everyone in between. My focus has always been on languages and grammar, and I’m currently teaching French, German, Japanese, Latin and English as a Foreign Language.
I can empathise with students who are approaching this home study course as I have successfully completed both a Master’s and an Undergraduate degree with the Open University (in Applied Linguistics and English/Classics respectively) while my English as a Foreign Language teacher training course was done via distance learning in the days when everything had to be posted to the tutor rather than emailed!
Darren Lester
Course price
Our Latin GCSE course fee is £395.
You may pay using our interest-free easy payment scheme. Pay a £79 deposit followed by eight monthly instalments of £39.50.
You will receive support from a fully-qualified tutor holding either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or a degree in education.
This support includes:
- Marking all assignments for the course
- Written answers to specific study problems
- Telephone contact
When you begin this course, you will agree an examination date or dates with your Student Adviser. Your support period lasts up to this examination date.
Prior Knowledge
No prior knowledge of this subject is required but may be beneficial.
Progression
This qualification provides the ideal foundation for
learners to progress to OCR’s AS Level in Latin and A
Level in Latin.
Supporting Texts
There are OCR recommended textbooks for studying the J282 specification which you might wish to purchase for extra explanation or access to extra practice materials. These resources are not compulsory for completion of the OOL GCSE Latin course nor for sitting the exam. They are optional extras in which you might be interested.
The up-to-date list can be found on the OCR website at GCSE – Latin (9-1) – J282 (from 2016) – OCR.
FAQs
Why Should I choose Oxford Home Schooling?
- Oxford Home Schooling is a long-established educational trust that prides itself on
- treatment of every student as an individual
- customer service
- course quality.
- We’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot by students who have studied with us.
- We provide online and printed resources so you can study your way – other providers do not give you that choice.
- We make it easy for you to home-educate your children with our flexible schedule, tutor support, and interest-free payment plan.
- Every year we help hundreds of children who have left mainstream education obtain the qualifications they need to progress and achieve their goals.
- Oxford Home Schooling is part of a not-for-profit trust so you can be sure that your course fees are spent on either your child’s tuition or on improving our courses.
When can I enrol?
You can enrol any time you like, the earlier the better. The important thing to think about is when you wish to sit your exam and to give yourself plenty of time to work through your materials and revise successfully. Our cut-off dates for enrolment are usually November for the following summer exams or March for November sittings.
Once you have enrolled, you will get immediate access to your course online and your printed course materials will arrive a few days later.
How, where and when will I book an exam?
All the information you need to book your exam with an exam centre can be found in our Exams Hub. Here you will find
- detailed instructions on what to do and how to approach exam officers if there is no online booking system
- the entry codes needed to book exams
- our map of examination centres that have helped our students in recent years.
Our experienced Advisers are also always available with a wealth of knowledge about how to locate exam centres and book exams.
OHS students have the advantage of not being tied to sitting with any one centre or organisation and several offer discounts to our students. Tutors & Exams is one of the biggest operators and a good choice if you have special educational needs. They offer a discount to OHS students and they have nine exam venues across the UK in; Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Romford, St Neots, Taunton and Wimbledon.
Our map also shows plenty of other centres that are also very likely to help our students and may offer a discount.
You should start to look for an exam centre as soon as possible after enrolling and preferably in the Autumn term before your summer exam. There is a lot of demand for Private Exam places and many centres are already booked up well before Christmas. The OCR Exam Board’s final date for booking summer exams without incurring late entry fees is the 21st of February, there are no November exams for Latin.
What is the enrolment process?
First fill out our application form giving as much relevant information as possible about your child and at this stage you have not committed to anything. Once the application has been received and assessed by our Admissions Department, a Student Adviser will contact you to discuss the application, answer any more questions you may have and confirm your subject selections before you get started.
We want you to be comfortable with your choice and clear about the way forward, therefore we do not employ any high pressure sales techniques and you are free to take your time before you commit to investing in this programme.
Once you are ready, you can pay your Student Adviser in full or arrange to pay in instalments.
Communicate better, Apply now!
