As with all A Level subjects, we uphold our School’s intent, and are particularly proud of the way we:
- foster independence and interdependence;
- develop highly literate, and knowledgeable learners;
- prepare students who are socially equipped, and can engage confidently with the wider world.
These are shown through the range of activities we have on offer in each lesson. Independent and group study are the norm, and there is a constant focus on use of precise, subject language in each lesson. We have high expectations of students in private study too, where they take responsibility for their own learning.
Post 16
Our aims are those of the Edexcel A Level Politics specification:
- to apply a range of knowledge, and analytical skills in order to evaluate the workings of political systems and processes, both in the UK and the USA;
- to apply political examples from both the current UK and USA systems;
- to develop the literacy skills to contrast, compare and evaluate, political systems, processes and ideologies in the UK and the USA.
The curriculum is carefully structured, so that there are progressive levels of challenge and high expectations in each year. We start with the concept of democracy and the systems and processes as set out in the constitution of the USA, and the fundamental principles of the UK government. Based on this knowledge, we build students’ skills to argue robustly for and against the need of further reform.
Throughout the course, students interpret political systems and processes in the UK and the USA, and analyse similarities and differences. This enables them to evaluate effectiveness of government branches and levels of democracy. They also consider a range of political ideologies which inform approaches to the role of the state in relation to its citizens based on the principles of human nature.
By the end of Year 13, Politics students can analyse and evaluate political systems and processes to explain how the branches of government work together in order to provide democratic states.
Component 1:
UK Politics
1 Political Participation:
- Democracy and participation
- Political parties
- Electoral systems
- Voting behaviour and the media
2 Core Political Ideas:
- Conservatism
- Liberalism
- Socialism
Component 2:
UK Government
1 UK Government:
- The Constitution
- Parliament
- Prime Minister and Executive
- Relationships between the branches
2 Non-Core Political Ideas:
- Anarchism
Component 3:
Comparative Politics
1 USA:
- The US Constitution & Federalism
- US Congress
- US Presidency
- US Supreme Court and Civil Rights
- Democracy and Participation
- Comparative Theories
Examinations
Component 1 - UK Politics - Written examination 2 hours
Component 2 - UK Government - Written examination 2 hours
Component 3 - USA - Written examination 2 hours
The course is suitable for you if you:
- Are lively and have an inquiring mind
- Have an interest in current affairs and how the country is run
- Are keen to participate in debate
- Like to ask challenging questions about the country we live in
- Enjoy finding out answers for yourself
- Work well in groups and like to share ideas.
Enrichment
- Year 12 visit to Westminster and the Supreme Court
- Year 12/13 Debating Society run and organised by students
- Year 13 trip to Leicester US Politics Today Lectures with former members of Congress
- Year 13 biannual trip to New York and Washington DC
For further details please contact Mrs Wilson.
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All current plans for sixth form programmes of study at Bishop Stopford School are provisional, dependent on student numbers and government policy. |
