Government and Politics - Key Stage 5
The study of Politics has never been so relevant or urgent. As a world, we face unprecedented global challenges to our climate, to our peace, security and democracy. Global leaders must face threats to our climate as well as threats to our democratic way of life, from terrorism, cyber-attacks and rising tensions between established and rising powers.
A study of Government and Politics is an essential guide to our world today. What are the beliefs that underpin our politics and how do the institutions that make our laws and govern over us operate and where does their legitimacy come from?
Our A Level course is a great introduction to this fascinating world and will give you an excellent perspective on the UK and the US; two complex democracies with very similar, and yet very different, systems of law and politics.
The challenge and also the enjoyment of studying this subject is that it is forever changing and is being constantly refreshed. No topic is ever taught the same way twice as politics never stands still. Politics is the first rough draft of history and a new page is written every day.
KS5
Examination Board/Qualification: Edexcel A Level
- 3 papers x 120 minutes at the end of Year 13
Topics Covered
Year 12
- UK Government and Politics
- Political parties, democracy and participation
- Voting systems and voting behaviour
- The UK Parliament, constitution and Supreme Court
- The Prime Minster and Cabinet
- Ideologies: conservatism, liberalism, socialism and nationalism
Year 13
- US Government and Politics
- The US constitution and Bill of Rights
- The US Supreme Court and civil rights
- The US Congress
- Elections, democracy and participation in the USA
- The Powers and roles of the US President
- Comparative politics: how do the UK and US political systems differ?
Timetable
Over a fortnightly timetable, students receive:
- 8 hours of guided classroom learning
- 8 hours of guided independent homework
Enrichment and Extra Curricular
To Read
- BBC News online – the politics and elections section is a gold mine of data and information for A level politics
- Also read a range of newspapers from different perspectives:
- The FT (free for schools)
- The Guardian
- The Daily Telegraph
- The Times
- The New York Times (limited free articles)
- CNN
- The Washington Post
- There are some great news and politics websites such as:
- Politico.com and Politico.eu
- The Spectator
- The Economist
- The New Statesman
- Prospect
- Foreign Policy
To Watch
- The Andrew Marr show (BBC- every Sunday)
- Topical news shows such as BBC Newsnight and the Sky news press preview
- Politics documentaries on BBC I Player such as:
- ‘Blair and Brown, the New Labour Revolution’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p09wgbfk/blair-brown-the-new-labour-revolution-series-1-episode-1
- ‘Thatcher, a very British revolution’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m0005brf/thatcher-a-very-british-revolution
To Listen
- The Spectator, Economist and FT all have weekly podcasts which are free to download or watch on Youtube
To Research
- Biographies of UK prime Ministers and Presidents such as
- ‘May at 10’ by Sir Anthony Seldon
- ‘A Journey’ by Tony Blair
To Visit
Contact your local MP to arrange a visit to the Houses of Parliament. Covid restrictions permitting we will try to organise visits to student conferences in Westminster where you will hear speakers form various political parties.
Careers
We have a wealth of information on our Careers page - Please click here to visit.
