JACT Classical Civilisation Committee Report To Council October 2004

Committee Membership

This year has seen the resignation of Rachel Johnson and the retirement, after many years of service, of Ann King and Lyle Eveille. To all of them and especially Ann and Lyle go our sincere thanks. We are delighted to welcome to the committee Alan Clague (a JACT Officer who brings a wealth of wisdom after many years' experience both as a teacher and exam-board official), Peter Evans and, most recently, Erica Malcomson. Our chairman, Professor John Wilkins, will be taking long leave shortly and, while thanking him for his years of service and dedication, we are also looking to find a replacement. Any offers or suggestions would be gratefully received.

Teacher Support Materials

Work has continued on revising the bibliographies for the various modules and those for Greek Comedy and Greek Epic can now be found on the website. Others will follow in due course. As reported last year, edited material from the now defunct JACT Bureau is advertised on the website. Of this material the teaching notes on Homer is now in a form which can be down-loaded. Members wishing to send in, in electronic format, material they have generated and feel might be useful to others are welcome to do so. It may not appear on the website but will certainly be considered. It may be edited before distribution.

Educational Reform, 14-19

The publication of the Tomlinson Report on 14-19 education will inevitably occasion a great deal of work in the coming decade, and changes will also be necessary to the Classical Civilisation specifications in the shorter term. It is hoped that, by working closely with both OCR and the Classical Civilisation examiners, the Committee will be able to make the most of the opportunities afforded by these developments.

INSET

The question of Inset provision has continued to occupy the committee. Although no concrete advances have been made, the committee has discussed the issue with OCR and consideration has been given to holding joint OCR-JACT Inset days, covering both subject- and exam-related issues. This possibility will be pursued further as details regarding the 14-19 education reforms emerge.

Examinations

The Committee has continued its practice of discussing exam questions after each session and has represented the views of its correspondents to both OCR and the examiners. We have developed a good working relationship with the Board and the attendance of Beth Ashby, the OCR subject officer, at our meetings has been particularly useful. As in the past a Committee representative has attended as an observer the Grade Awards meetings following the June examination session and has been able to report extremely favourably on the care, thoroughness and professionalism with which business has been conducted.

Queries regarding the actual administration of examinations and, e.g., concerning provision for exam candidates who have transferred from one centre to another between taking AS and A2, should be referred to the Examination Officers of individual centres who can then contact the Board: there is a procedure for dealing with such cases.

T. J. Leary - Secretary

Classical Civilisation Resources

Visit this page to see what Classical Civilisation resources are currently available form JACT. The Committee are currently working on bibligraphies covering the various specification topics.

Grade descriptors for use in assessing pupils studying Classical Civilisation at Key Stage 3 can be found here. Any additions or comments on the descriptors should be sent to jactclassciv@aol.com

Specifications

This page contains links to the Examination Boards that offer Classical Civilisation.

Summer Schools

Click here for details about the ARLT Refresher Course and Summer School for Teachers. Use the link above for details of other current Summer Schools and courses (including those for pupils).