Politics

Key Stage 5

The Politics A level consists of three externally-examined papers, covering three components. Each exam is 2 hours long and contributes to 1/3 of the final grade.

Component 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas

This section explores the nature of politics and how people engage in the political process in the UK. Students will investigate in detail how people and politics interact. They will explore the emergence and development of the UK’s democratic system and the similarities, differences, connections and parallels between direct and indirect democracy. They will focus on the role and scope of political parties that are so central to contemporary politics, including the significance of the manifestos they publish at election time and their relevance to the mandate of the resulting government. This section allows students to understand the individual in the political process and their relationship with the state and their fellow citizens. Students will examine how electoral systems in the UK operate and how individuals and groups are influenced in their voting behaviour and political actions. This component will further examine the role of the media in contemporary politics. It will also give students an understanding of voting patterns and voting behaviour.

Component 2: UK Government and Non-core Political Ideas

Politics is ultimately about people, but most political decisions are made by a branch of government whose roles and powers are determined by a set of rules: the constitution. This component is fundamental to understanding the nature of UK government, since it enables students to understand where, how and by whom political decisions are made. The component also gives students a base of comparison to other political systems. The component introduces students to the set of rules governing politics in the UK, the UK constitution, which is different in nature from most of the rest of the world. It further introduces students to the specific roles and powers of the different major branches of the government – legislative, executive, and judiciary – as well as the relationships and balance of power between them, and considers where sovereignty now lies within this system. Students will explore the following key themes: the relative powers of the different branches of UK government; the extent to which the constitution has changed in recent years; the desirability of further change; and the current location of sovereignty within the UK political system.

Component 3: Comparative Politics

The USA has been considered by some to be a ‘beacon of democracy’. As a world power, understanding the nature of US democracy, and the debates surrounding it, is crucial given the considerable impact that the USA has on UK, European and global politics. Students will explore the US Constitution and the arguments surrounding this guiding document of US democracy. In learning about the key institutions of government in the USA and analysing the manner in which they achieve this power and exercise it over their citizens, students will judge ultimately whether ‘liberty and justice for all’ has been achieved in the USA. Students will be expected to highlight the debates on the nature of democracy in the USA and evaluate the extent to which it remains an issue. The impact of the US government on the world beyond its borders is increasingly a feature of international politics. Students will begin to engage with this interaction by comparing and contrasting politics and institutions in the US with those in the UK. This will develop a wider understanding of politics as a discipline, underpinned by the theoretical concepts of comparative politics.

Year 12

Year 13

Example of skill progression

Students will first learn to describe the different forms of political systems and the process that make a democracy including chambers of government, offices of state and key checks and balances. Students will move on to describing the US political system including the federal and state government and evaluating and analysing the issues with within the electoral system and the chambers.

 

Careers and progression

Qualification pathways 

The Social Sciences department has responded to student requirements and changed the offer to include Politics at A level.

Many students find politics fulfilling and choose to study some form of politics course at university. Often students join various political organisations at university, championing positive change whilst developing invaluable skills for the future.

Study of Politics at A level may lead to employment in a wide variety of related areas such as journalism, research/ archiving, legal services, and public relations and communications.

Example of successful progressions

Three students from Y13 progressed to higher education/careers in an area related to politics in 2019.

Examples of links to Gatsby benchmark 4 (Linking curriculum to careers) 

Case study of Member of Parliament

Case study of political journalist

Examples of link to Gatsby benchmark 5 (encounters with employers)

Trip to Westminster to meet with government research officer and other civil servant

Employability skills

Problem solving & tactics, analysis & evaluation, debate, teamwork, leadership.