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Politics

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Head of Department: Mr J Pratt

Teachers: Mr A Hammond, Mr S Rockell, Mr J Stuart

Our intention is to promote engagement with, and awareness of, the institutions, processes and ideas that shape life in our own democracy, and that of the hugely influential United States. These are times of turbulent change in our society and for democracy to function effectively it is vital that schools educate students to enable them to navigate their way through such times as informed citizens. Those who study Politics should be able to evaluate the merits of different ideological approaches to the direction society should be heading, how this translates into political aggregation and policy formulation, and how institutions and systems mediate competing demands and channel political inputs from parties and pressure groups into policy outcomes and implementation. Pupils should be made aware of the influence of culture and historical context on politics and to compare the strengths and weaknesses of different political systems and approaches.

Beyond preparing students for further study in subjects such as Politics, History and International Relations, the course should create more active, informed citizens with an ability to play their part in shaping our democracy as responsible and reasoning actors. [Updated 2023/24]

Co-curricular activities
  • Trips to Parliament
  • Model United Nations General Assembly (MUNGA) – previous trip to Washington for NAIMUN
  • Debating Society – meets each week

Curriculum overview

Any man who says they are not interested in politics is
like a drowning man who insists he is not interested in water.

Mahatma Gandhi

A Level: Years 12 and 13

Course content

The specification requires in-depth study of UK and US government and politics, and comparisons across the two political systems are required. Students are required to identify parallels, connections, similarities and differences between aspects of politics. This ensures that students develop a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, political institutions and political processes.

Politics 12 13 final
Examination
  • Paper 1: Government and politics of the UK (2 hours: 33.3%)
  • Paper 2: Government and politics of the USA; Comparative politics (2 hours: 33.3%)
  • Paper 3: Political ideas (2 hours: 33.3%)
Exam board: AQA

Course specification

Careers Education

  • The department subscribes to Politics Review magazine, which has articles students can reference on courses and studying Politics at university.
  • The department provides extensive further reading lists with a view to impressing university entrance officers.
  • Guest speakers have come in and discussed their roles, e.g. MPs and government ministers, as well as political writers/authors. This gives an insight into what such careers involve and the pathways into them.
  • We will discuss a range of roles relevant to the course e.g. MPs, civil servants, lawyers and judges, MEPs, lobbyists, public relations, journalism and media, NGOs, union delegates, special advisors, think tanks and their links to other institutions such as universities. We consider university paths into several of these; party membership, civil service fast track, internships and voluntary work etc. We encourage membership of political parties and attendance at party-organised events and talks, and membership of party-affiliated groups.
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