Latin
Boys enter the Shells with a wide range of experience of Latin. The aim of the Shell year is to broaden their experience of the language and particularly to set it in the context of Roman life and society. In addition it is important to ensure that their previous knowledge is consolidated and refreshed. They are taught Latin for four periods per cycle. At present the top two Shells are divided into sets on the basis of Scholarship and Common Entrance results; the remainder are timetabled together and it is therefore possible to arrange them into four sets, where Latin can be taught to those of appropriate linguistic ability and Classical Civilisation to those for whom Latin GCSE would be a daunting proposition, or who are too inexperienced to make Latin at GCSE a realistic option.

The Cambridge Latin Course and related materials are used at a level appropriate to the group, and resetting is carried out in the early part of the year in order to ensure that individuals are being taught at the right level, and at a suitable pace. Upper sets are usually able to read more adventurously, including an introduction to Roman poetry. With lower sets the emphasis is necessarily placed on improving language skills to make Latin at GCSE a viable option for as many boys as possible.

Throughout the Shell year, all opportunities for non-linguistic work arising from the text are taken. All boys in the Shell year visit either Bath or another Romano-British site as part of their teaching programme. There are also regular meetings of the Classical Society, including quizzes and reading competitions, which boys are encouraged to attend.

Greek
All boys in Shell Latin set 1, together with those who have done some Greek, either to Scholarship or Common Entrance level, are taught some Greek in addition to their Latin as part of their introduction to the Classical world. They are taught at a level appropriate to their experience, and lessons take place in small groups twice during the week. Beginners are strongly encouraged, since Greek can often prove to be an interesting and stimulating challenge for a good Latinist.

The aim for all these boys is to put them in a position by the end of the year where Greek is a viable GCSE subject; this is just as important for the beginners as it is for those who have reached a relatively high level during their Prep School years. Furthermore, they will receive a coherent and balanced introductory course so that, even if they do not carry on with Greek, they will take away something of value.

Classical Civilisation
Classical Civilisation is taught from the start of the year to those in the lowest Classics set.

The aims of the year are to give boys a clear and coherent introduction to the Greek and Roman world and to allow them to develop skills which will prove useful in a wide range of areas. The topics studied usually include the Persian Wars, Athens, Alexander the Great, the Punic Wars, the destruction of Pompeii, and Roman Technology, which allow the study of both civilian and military life in both cultures. Each term they are expected to do a project on some aspect of the work, and use of computers is strongly encouraged in this. By the end of the year members of this set are in a strong position from which to choose Classical Civilisation at GCSE level.