Politics


“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” - Abraham Lincoln

Course Summary

In Year 12, Politics students follow the Edexcel A Level course by studying UK Politics and UK Government. They investigate how democracy operates in the UK, including the role of political parties, the influence of pressure groups, and how different electoral systems impact representation and outcomes. The course also explores the nature and sources of the UK Constitution, the structure and function of Parliament, the powers of the Prime Minister, and the relationship between the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

In Year 13, students deepen their understanding through the study of core political ideologies- Liberalism, Conservatism, and Socialism- examining key thinkers and ideological debates. They also study a non-core ideology, Nationalism, before turning to US Politics. The US Politics course involves students comparing the American and British systems of government, political participation, and constitutional frameworks to develop their analytical and evaluative skills.

 

Assessment

  • Paper 1: UK Politics & Core Political Ideologies (2h/ 33%)

  • Paper 2: UK Government & Non-Core Political Ideologies (2h/ 33%) 

  • Paper 3: Comparative Politics (United States of America) (2h/ 33%)

Enrichment and Extra-Curricular

Every year we attend the UKSupreme Court, and attend academic talks around London.

Exam Board

Pearson

Course Specification

 

Reading and Resources

Recomended Revision Guide

Course textbook