Head of Classics

Birkdale School seeks an enthusiastic, dedicated and innovative Head of Classics who will successfully nurture and promote the study of classical subjects. The ability to teach Latin and Classical Civilisation to A-level standard is essential, the ability to teach Classical Greek would be an advantage.

Classics is a successful and popular area of study at Birkdale School.  The School is proud to be maintaining the teaching of Classics and is committed to remaining a centre of excellence in classical education.  Classical Greek is also offered; currently the course is taken up by small groups on an extra-curricular basis.

The Classics Department consistently produces outstanding examination results as well as highly enthusiastic and motivated pupils, many of whom go on to take degree courses in classical subjects at universities including Oxbridge. 

The Department is currently staffed by two experienced and talented specialists who have a strong teamwork ethic and are committed to the enhancement of their professional expertise and knowledge of current developments in classical studies.

Classics has two dedicated classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards. All our S1 (Y7) & S2 (Y8) pupils study Latin, following the Cambridge Latin course. Latin continues to be offered as an option from S3 (Y9) onwards. Latin and Classical Civilisation are taught to both GCSE and A level. The EDUQAS exam is taken for Latin GCSE. The Department has regular, timetabled access to excellent computer facilities and all our courses incorporate a strong element of the use of technology by pupils and teachers. 

We aim to offer a varied programme of extra-curricular activities, e.g.  An archaeology study day at an excellent local museum for (S3) Y9 pupils, the Roman soldier experience at York, a visiting story teller.  We encourage our sixth formers to attend university study days, relevant theatre trips and exhibitions; most recently our Sixth Form pupils have benefitted from a visit to the Troy Exhibition in London. Our pupils are regularly successful in national competitions e.g. The Sam Hood Translation, the CICERO competition and the Leeds University annual reading competition.