Politics is a subject offered to students in the sixth form.
The course examines the theory of government and politics and the day to day impact of politics and politicians on our lives. Generally, Politics is a new subject to all our students. It tends to be chosen by students who enjoy debating current affairs and by those who recognise that it provides an excellent grounding for a host of different careers.
The AS course follows the Edexcel specification and provides students with a thorough introduction to British Politics by looking at the central ideas of citizenship, democracy and participation. The relationship between and effectiveness of the major institutions of government are also studied. An essential part of the course also involves examining key issues affecting the development of the UK system and considers the impact and desirability of political and constitutional change.
In the second year of sixth form study, an A2 in International Politics is offered. This is a subject that many of our students have gone on to study at university. The course examines key international organisations, considers the nature of conflict and conflict resolution, and studies what impact the major international developments since 1945 have had on the United Kingdom.
Active citizenship is promoted by the department’s enthusiastic and dedicated teaching staff, and those students who choose AS Government and Politics will have the opportunity to visit Westminster and tour the Houses of Parliament in order to see the House of Commons and House of Lords in action. The reading of daily newspapers and contact with elected public representatives at local, national, and European levels is also encouraged. Students will monitor elections, opinion polls and major events as they occur. In recent years, as well as arranging visits to nearby cities to participate in the BBC’s Question Time programme, the school has also hosted its own Question time for pupils where local candidates for the general election were invited to school to be grilled by our budding politicians
The AS course follows the Edexcel specification and provides students with a thorough introduction to British Politics by looking at the central ideas of citizenship, democracy and participation. The relationship between and effectiveness of the major institutions of government are also studied. An essential part of the course also involves examining key issues affecting the development of the UK system and considers the impact and desirability of political and constitutional change.In the second year of sixth form study, an A2 in International Politics is offered. This is a subject that many of our students have gone on to study at university. The course examines key international organisations, considers the nature of conflict and conflict resolution, and studies what impact the major international developments since 1945 have had on the United Kingdom.
Active citizenship is promoted by the department’s enthusiastic and dedicated teaching staff, and those students who choose AS Government and Politics will have the opportunity to visit Westminster and tour the Houses of Parliament in order to see the House of Commons and House of Lords in action. The reading of daily newspapers and contact with elected public representatives at local, national, and European levels is also encouraged. Students will monitor elections, opinion polls and major events as they occur. In recent years, as well as arranging visits to nearby cities to participate in the BBC’s Question Time programme, the school has also hosted its own Question time for pupils where local candidates for the general election were invited to school to be grilled by our budding politicians
