There are no pre-conditions for entry to Politics A Level. The course assumes no previous knowledge of the subject. Politics A Level represents a fresh start for all students and an equal opportunity to excel. Past examination results demonstrate that students who approach the course with enthusiasm and a willingness to respond to teacher feedback are well-placed to attain or exceed target grades. Politics essentially focuses on the question: “How are we governed?”. By analysing the role of various political institutions and key players on the political stage in the UK and the US, we consider where power lies, how political actors interact with each other and what this means for the effective functioning of these democracies. Although Politics is not taught in the lower school, many pupils will already have a grasp of some of the material we study at A Level. In the British paper (Paper 1) and the American and Comparative Politics paper (Paper 2), we will consider debates such as: • UK Political Parties: should political parties receive more funding from the state? • UK Prime Minister and Cabinet: What insights into prime ministerial power can be gained from examining the demise of Boris Johnson? • Comparative Judiciaries: Why is the US Supreme Court more powerful than the UK Supreme Court? • US Presidential Elections: Why did Donald Trump win in 2016, but lose in 2020? • UK Elections & direct democracy: Should we hold more referendums? • The UK Constitution: do we need a codified constitution to better protect human rights in the UK? • UK Pressure Groups: is the direct action of radical groups such as Extinction Rebellion likely to lead to failure or success in achieving their political goals? • US Pressure Groups: Why do groups such as the National Rifle Association have so much influence in the political process? Paper 3 involves the study of four political ideologies. We examine the core beliefs advocated by thinkers within the traditions of liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and anarchism. This leads us to consider questions such as: • Are all humans equally free to achieve their potential? • Does revolutionary change require an actual revolution? • Is taxation, for the most part, theft? • If we abolished the state, what should or would replace it? The above details provide a brief outline of the course; hopefully, they are sufficient for you to realise that Politics is a very topical subject. Those who are interested in current affairs will be well suited to Politics A Level. If you enjoy BBC output such as Question Time or are an avid consumer of politics podcasts and blogs, this is probably the A Level for you. Anyone who enjoys debating controversial issues in the news and who wants to learn the facts to support their point of view will enjoy the subject. Lessons involve a great deal of discussion as in most cases there are no straightforward answers. It is this factor which ensures your opinions must be well supported with evidence and clearly expressed - a trait which should help you in your other A Levels. The course has also involved visits to conferences hosted by The British Association of American Studies which, as well as serving an academic purpose, provides a useful insight into university life. There is also the possibility of trips to centres of political power such as London, Edinburgh and Washington D.C.