Course information
Government and Politics
Withington Girls' School - Manchester
01612241077
Wellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6BL
Course summary

Lively, interesting and relevant... it is one of the most interesting and engaging qualifications you can choose. Covering news and current affairs from the US and UK, it helps you understand how the UK is run and develops research, written communication and debating skills. The new A Level also explores the traditional ideologies as well as feminism, and encourages a breadth of knowledge and understanding. In the Lower Sixth we aim to answer exciting, intriguing and significant political questions in this course such as How democratic is Britain? How have your rights been eroded? How good a Prime Minister is Johnson? What does the Labour Party stand for? Why have a snap election in 2017? What type of leader will Jeremy Corbyn be? What do the Liberal Democrats stand for? Is this the end of the UKIP? Now is a very exciting time to be studying politics; what will the impact of Brexit be? In the Upper Sixth we study a range of topics including American Politics and look at an equally exciting range of issues including Are Hispanics increasingly significant in US Politics? Is Congress important? and Are Supreme Court judges too powerful? What do the 2018 midterms tell us about American Politics? Why did Donald Trump win? What issues dominated the 2016 election? We will look at the 2020 election. Comparisons are made between US and UK systems. A wide range of activities is used to stimulate learning, including group and pair work, individual research, the use of interactive websites, Internet, current affairs quizzes, lots of debates and discussion. We have recently acquired flipped learning resource Pre-chewed Politics - this is a useful and valuable way of accessing information. Students are encouraged to share their ideas and experiences. Materials used within the lessons include the Internet (for example YouTube resources), newspapers, magazines as well as other useful sources. Studying Politics means there is a wealth of exciting and easily accessible material you can find. Students will develop a good knowledge and understanding of their own political systems alongside that of another state. They are encouraged to develop their own political ideas and beliefs as well as to explore those of others. Edexcel’s new GCE in Politics has been designed to encourage an interest in and enthusiasm for the study of Politics. It will enable students to develop an insight into political beliefs, central to an understanding of the modern world, and to be informed and articulate citizens. It is interesting and exciting to study; you are not expected to have any detailed political knowledge – just an interest in learning!

Entry requirements

Places in Withington’s Sixth Form are limited and prospective students who wish to apply are advised to visit us on the Sixth Form Information Evening and/or one of our Open Days. If after your visit you wish to take the next step in the admission process, you should complete a Statement of Interest (the form is available from admissions@wgs.org). This will enable our Sixth Form admissions team to review the Statements of Interest submitted by candidates to gain an understanding of factors such as predicted grades and A Level subject choices, but also why candidates wish to take those subjects and their aspirations beyond school. We recommend this route for girls who know their A Level subject choices and whose predicted grades meet our entry requirements (a minimum of six 7-9 grades at GCSE, with 8-9 grades in the subjects you wish to study). After reviewing the Statements of Interest, before the end of the Autumn term, we will invite a number of candidates to submit a formal application. Once an application is received, references from current schools will be taken and an appointment made to take part in an interview. Interviews may take place in person or online. Applicants are notified of the outcome of the Sixth Form admissions process by the end of March.

How you'll be assessed

Component 1 UK Politics Content • Political Participation • Core ideas (Liberalism, Conservatism and Socialism) Assessment • A range of short and long answer questions • 2 hour exam • 33 1/3% of qualification Component 2 UK Government Content • UK Government • Feminism Assessment • A range of short and long answer questions • 2 hour exam • 33 1/3% of qualification Component 3 Comparative Politics Content • US Government and Politics Assessment • A range of short and long answer questions • 2 hour exam • 33 1/3% of qualification

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionNorth West
Local AuthorityManchester
Ofsted Rating
Gender TypeGirls
ISI ReportView Report
Boarding FeeUnknown
Sixth Form Fee£15,573
AddressWellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6BL