Politics

Intent

We aim to inspire in students, through a deep understanding of society and democracy, excellent citizenship skills and a desire to pioneer for positive change. 

Introduction 

Politics is ultimately about people, and in this course, students explore nature of politics and how people engage in the political processes. They will explore core political concepts, compare the politics of different countries, and learn to appreciate the power for change that politics can provide.

Examples of cross-curricular links

English:

Non-fiction reading  -  newspaper and other articles                     

Vocabulary strategysubject-specific vocabulary is taught explicitly and reinforced routinely

Purpose and audience writing - debate, analyse, evaluate and justify.    

Mathematics: Statistics and the mathematics behind voting systems
Science: The impact of science (e.g. technological advances, the environment) on political opinion
Humanities: The impact of historical events on politics

Examples of Cultural Capital entitlement from NC

  • Knowledge and understanding of key democratic and political processes
  • Knowledge of key historical events and their impact on society and politics
  • Appreciation of cultural differences and influences
  • 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
    Term 1 Term 2 Term 3

    UK Politics

    UK Politics

    UK Politics

    Term 4 Term 5 Term 6

    UK Government

    UK Government

    UK Government

    Year 13
    Term 1 Term 2 Term 3

    Comparative Politics

    Comparative Politics

    Comparative Politics

    Term 4 Term 5 Term 6

    Revision

    Revision

     

    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.

Get in Touch

To get in touch with Prince William School please click on the link below, or call us on 01832 272881

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