Course information
Government and Politics
Dame Allan's Schools - Newcastle upon Tyne
01912751500
Fowberry Crescent, Fenham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE4 9YJ
Course summary

Politics is about debate, controversy and ideas, so if you like to argue and are interested in current affairs, you will enjoy the subject. Many of the topics we study will directly affect you, such as the debate about university tuition fees and you may already have strong opinions on them. Other issues may arouse passionate opposition or support such as the use of the death penalty in the USA. Politics will suit you if you are interested in current affairs and like to debate and discuss controversial topics and ideas. Good written skills are essential too, especially the ability to weigh up different arguments and explain which are the most persuasive. One example would be to explain the benefits and drawbacks of the use of referendums and then to set out which side you are on using recent examples. What topics will I study? • UK Politics: Democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media. • Core political ideas: conservatism, liberalism, socialism. • UK Government: The UK Constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches. • Non-core political idea: feminism • Comparative Politics USA: The US Constitution and Federalism, US Congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, comparative theories.

Entry requirements

We expect pupils entering Sixth Form to have secured 45 points from their best 8 GCSE grades (grades of 3 or below may not be included). Students new to Dame Allan’s will also be invited to interview. Grade 6 in an essay-based subject. The ability to listen to and evaluate different arguments is important as you will need to say why one argument is stronger than another and why one group or individual is right. Being able to write clearly and persuasively is also essential.

How you'll be assessed

There are three papers of two hours, each made up of short answers and essays. Paper 1 is about UK Politics and core political ideas. Paper 2 is UK Government and non-core political ideas. Paper 3 is US and Comparative Politics

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionNorth East
Local AuthorityNewcastle upon Tyne
Ofsted Rating
Gender TypeCo-Educational
ISI ReportView Report
Boarding FeeUnknown
Sixth Form Fee£15,999
AddressFowberry Crescent, Fenham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE4 9YJ