Politics A Level enables pupils to develop their knowledge and understanding of contemporary political structures and the surrounding issues in their historical context, both within the UK and the USA. Pupils develop a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes developing an informed understanding of the influences and interests which have an impact on decisions in government and politics. By combining the study of the structure of governments and political systems alongside political theories, pupils will become more informed of the rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups, and their relationship within a political structure. The transferable skills garnered from such a study will focus on developing the ability to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate political information to form arguments and make judgements and an informed interest in, and engagement with, contemporary politics in adult life.
For entry into the Sixth Form, candidates must have a mean score above 5.5 over their best eight GCSE subjects. Grade 6 at GCSE is almost invariably the minimum requirement for starting an A Level and Grade 7 is preferred (8 for Mathematics). To join the Sixth Form, pupils must have at least a 5 in both English Language and Mathematics. Information on the entrance tests for admission into the Sixth Form is available on the School website under ‘Entry to The Leys’
There are three papers, each of two hours, sat at the end of the Upper Sixth. Paper One assesses UK Politics and the interaction between people and the political system. It addresses topics such as democracy and participation in the UK, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media. The core UK political ideas of conservatism, liberalism, socialism will also be studied in both a historical and philosophical context. Paper Two assesses the structures of the UK Government, incorporating a detailed understanding of the UK constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, and relationships between the branches of government. In deliberate contrast this will be studied alongside the oppositional political ideas of anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, and nationalism. Paper Three is a comparative paper, assessing the US Constitution and federalism, US congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court, democracy and participation and civil rights, alongside theories of Global Politics, sovereignty & globalisation, global governance, political and economic, global governance and issues of human rights. Each paper requires pupils to respond in short-form essays to a choice of questions.
About Education Provider
| Region | East of England |
| Local Authority | Cambridgeshire |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | £30,555 - £41,880 |
| Sixth Form Fee | £19,965 - £27,660 |
| Address | Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 7AD |
Politics A Level enables pupils to develop their knowledge and understanding of contemporary political structures and the surrounding issues in their historical context, both within the UK and the USA. Pupils develop a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes developing an informed understanding of the influences and interests which have an impact on decisions in government and politics. By combining the study of the structure of governments and political systems alongside political theories, pupils will become more informed of the rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups, and their relationship within a political structure. The transferable skills garnered from such a study will focus on developing the ability to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate political information to form arguments and make judgements and an informed interest in, and engagement with, contemporary politics in adult life.
For entry into the Sixth Form, candidates must have a mean score above 5.5 over their best eight GCSE subjects. Grade 6 at GCSE is almost invariably the minimum requirement for starting an A Level and Grade 7 is preferred (8 for Mathematics). To join the Sixth Form, pupils must have at least a 5 in both English Language and Mathematics. Information on the entrance tests for admission into the Sixth Form is available on the School website under ‘Entry to The Leys’
There are three papers, each of two hours, sat at the end of the Upper Sixth. Paper One assesses UK Politics and the interaction between people and the political system. It addresses topics such as democracy and participation in the UK, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media. The core UK political ideas of conservatism, liberalism, socialism will also be studied in both a historical and philosophical context. Paper Two assesses the structures of the UK Government, incorporating a detailed understanding of the UK constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, and relationships between the branches of government. In deliberate contrast this will be studied alongside the oppositional political ideas of anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, and nationalism. Paper Three is a comparative paper, assessing the US Constitution and federalism, US congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court, democracy and participation and civil rights, alongside theories of Global Politics, sovereignty & globalisation, global governance, political and economic, global governance and issues of human rights. Each paper requires pupils to respond in short-form essays to a choice of questions.