Politics

Mr Adam Collins | Head of Politics

The politics department aims to build students’ confidence through the development of independent and critical thinking.

Key Stage 5

Key Stage 5 | Politics
What will my child learn in Politics?

Politics is about the allocation of resources and how expectations are managed by politicians. It is an exciting and dynamic field of study, particularly in this period of significant change both in Britain and the world. A level Politics students examine the methods of governing a nation, compare the UK and the USA and examine ideological and philosophical thinking that brought us Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism and Feminism. They are able to use this to form educated opinions regarding the present, examining past decisions effects on current world issues at both a local level and on a global scale. The subject looks at how nations and their peoples interact and what effect this has on society and global relationships. The A-level encourages students to gain enjoyment, satisfaction and a sense of achievement as they develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject. Students are encouraged to engage with the subject by becoming independent thinkers and active and informed citizens.

How is Politics taught?
Through active engagement in Politics students will use group work, role play, practical demonstrations, debate and discussions to learn key concepts and ideas.

Through a wide range of resources; ICT, games, role plays, research.
Through thinking; students will be encouraged to solve problems and think for themselves, forming their own opinions on key issues, developing skills to challenge their own ideas and those of their peers.

Through debate: students are encouraged to challenge common misconceptions through reasoned argument and debate.

What examination board does Politics follow?
AQA Politics A level 7152

How is A level assessed?
Paper 1- : The Government and Politics of the UK
2 hours
Total marks: 77
A written paper based on the United Kingdom, including the EU.
Students will answer 5 questions, one related to an unseen extract.

Paper 2 – The USA and comparative politics
2 hours
Total marks: 77
A written paper based on the government and politics of the USA and a comparison of the USA and the UK.
Students will answer 5 questions.

Paper 3 – Political Ideas
2 hours
Total marks: 77
A written paper based on the development of 4 ideologies. Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism and Feminism.
Students will answer 5 questions.
3 short answers based on each of the compulsory ideologies.
1 extract based essay
1 essay on Feminism

A Level Handbook
Each Student will be given a copy of an A Level Politics Department handbook. It contains sample papers and lists of core content as well as important information regarding the skills required for each question on each exam paper.

Curriculum Map

Politics

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