Government and Politics

Course summary

“There is no such thing as ‘keeping out of politics’. All issues are political issues”. A Level Politics is for those who are interested in power and how it has an impact on our daily lives. An interest is needed, but no previous knowledge of politics is required. During the course we visit the Houses of Parliament, and often enter various competitions and contests to promote political knowledge and understanding. Candidates taking Politics have numerous co-curricular opportunities, chiefly the Batchelor Society, but also including essay competitions, lectures and seminars. The Politics Department also runs the Political Film Club and a weekly group called the League of Nations, which explores the implications of realist and liberal thought on the geopolitical community. The course is delivered by two of three staff. Mr Weston, the Head of Department, has taught Politics since 2002, joining Freemen’s in 2017. Prior to that he was a Parliamentary candidate for a Scottish constituency. He has also appeared on Mastermind answering questions on the political novels of George Orwell. Miss Farrington joined Freemen’s in September 2019, and Miss Robinson in January 2020.