We ensure that the Politics curriculum is academically challenging and builds the range, depth and security of students’ knowledge over time. We seek to create a positive learning environment, with high quality teaching and learning which promotes enjoyment of and active engagement with the subject.

Students of all academic abilities will develop an understanding of Politics and work towards their full potential, promoting tolerance of different ideas and beliefs in the past and present through study and discussion. We seek to enable students to use their understanding of Politics to become active citizens.

We encourage students to interact with substantive knowledge, intertwined with disciplinary knowledge. We encourage students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the philosophical and legal basis of political systems, the historical development of those systems, as well as contemporary political issues, by accessing a range of articles, journals and political works via the print media and online.

Our curriculum is based on evaluatory questions and is designed to ensure that students develop higher level thinking skills, such as political analysis and evaluation. The curriculum design and teaching enable pupils to construct their own views and arguments about contemporary political issues.

Curriculum Summary - Politics

Key Stage 5

Qualification: A Level

Awarding Body and Paper: Edexcel Specification code 9PLO

Programme of Study

A Level Politics will introduce students to the British political system. Students will consider contemporary political issues, institutions and ideologies. The course also offers the opportunity to study the government and politics of the USA and compare it to the British System.

Students will complete a study of UK politics and government. The key topics in politics include democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the role of the media. There will also be a study of the core political ideas of Conservatism, Liberalism and Socialism. Whilst studying the British system of government, students will consider the Constitution, Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Executive. Finally, students will make a comparative study of government and politics in the USA considering the Constitution, Congress, the Presidency, Civil Rights & Democracy and Participation.

Who it will suit

Fascinated by current affairs? Want to understand how our laws are made? Want to make the laws/run the country/ make a difference to people’s lives? Or perhaps you just fancy studying a subject that unfolds on our television screens every night. You must be good at debating – and that does not mean being able to shout louder than everyone else. You must also be able to articulate your ideas well in writing.

Assessment

The course is assessed via three examinations.
Paper 1 – UK Politics (33.3%)
Paper 2 – UK Government (33.3%)
Paper 3 – Comparative Politics (33.3%)

What it can lead to

Politics is a highly respected and rigorous course which has many links to other areas of study. Other pathways include university courses in, Law, International Relations, History, Teaching, Sociology and, of course, Politics.

Additional Points
Politics students have set up and run a Debating Society in the school.  We encourage students of all ages to participate in debates on contemporary political issues which directly affect them.

Many of our students have gone on to study Politics and International Relations, Law and History at University over the past five years.