5th October 2011

BEAMINSTER: Latin lovers are top of the class

LATIN students at Beaminster School have proved to be one of the secret successes of the exam season.

Only two students from the school completed the Welsh Joint Education Committee Latin papers, GCSE-equivalent national qualifications, but both received A* results. “We had two entries, and we got two A*s,” said Latin teacher Mrs Chorlton. “You can’t do better than 100 per cent, can you?”

Daisy Curtis, now in Year 11, earned her success at Level Two, and Ryan Strong, now Year 12, did Level One after a shorter course of lessons.

“I am extremely proud of both of them,” said Mrs Chorlton. “And I’m just as proud of another successful pupil from Bridport, Bethan Baldry, who goes to Woodroffe School. What did she get? Well, A* of course.”

Unusually among Dorset state schools, Beaminster offers a year-long taster course of Latin to Year 7 on the timetable, and thereafter all those who are keen enough to devote one lunchtime a week to the language can continue it on a club basis for as long as they want to – up to GCSE level or even further.

PICTURE 1: TOP OF THE CLASS - A* pupil Daisy Curtis

PICTURE 2: LATIN LOVER - A* pupil Ryan Strong