Overview
Studying Politics is undoubtedly the best way for the intellectually curious to better understand the apparently fractured, chaotic and unpredictable times that we are currently living through. The shockwaves that the world has experienced in recent years, from the Brexit vote to the election of Donald Trump, have swept away many of the old political certainties. For anyone that wants to understand how we here and where we might go next, Politics is a perfect A level choice. The department seeks to nurture intellectual curiosity, provide a forum for informed and passionate debate and encourage students to recognize that the world is theirs to change.
Curriculum
Students study the Edexcel Politics course.
The course is an exceptionally broad based and comprehensive one and focuses on three distinct areas of study:
UK Politics and Government
- Democracy and Participation
- Political Parties
- Elections
- Voting Behaviour and the Media
- The Constitution
- Parliament
- The Prime Minister
- The Relations between the branches of government
Political Ideas
- Liberalism
- Socialism
- Conservatism
- Nationalism
US Government and Politics
- The Constitution
- Congress
- The Presidency
- The Supreme Court and Civil Rights
- Political Parties
- Democracy and Participation
Students will sit three two hour exams at the end of the Upper Sixth.
Trips, activities and clubs
In addition to our teaching there are a range of opportunities to support the development of Politics knowledge including:
- A weekly Politics Society
- Annual trips to the Houses of Parliament and City Hall
- An annual trip to Washington DC
Staff
- Mr S Marlow MA (Head of Politics)
- Ms A Massey MA Deputy Head
- Mr M Chesterton BA (Head of Moffat)
