Politics at KGS is in all senses of the word a 'dynamic' subject. The changing political landscape means that a critical, inquiry-based approach is essential Each year we invite high-profile speakers to debate with us. In recent years we have hosted MPs including Zac Goldsmith, Tonia Antoniazzi and Ed Davey. Our students are encouraged to take the initiative in furthering their political education by, for example, gaining holiday time work experience at Westminster or in an MP's constituency office, perhaps learning the rudiments of campaigns or helping in research. Apart from the academic side, you will have many opportunities to immerse yourselves fully in this living subject. Politics has never been more relevant and important than it is today.
As a minimum, students must achieve at least grade 7 (equivalent to A grade) in four separate subjects. In addition, all students must achieve a minimum grade of 6 (equivalent to a high B grade) in Mathematics and English GCSE or IGCSE. Please also note that a minimum of grade 7 is required in those subjects, or closely related subjects, that students wish to study for A Level with the exception of Mathematics where students will require a minimum grade 8 at GCSE and Further Mathematics where students will require a minimum grade 9 at GCSE.
In the Lower Sixth, students study American government and politics, with special emphasis on the office of the Presidency, foreign and domestic policy, the Supreme Court, Congress, political parties and race issues, to name a few key areas. Key questions which students debate and discuss could be: To what extent are Prime Ministers presidential? Which is more powerful, Congress or the Presidency? Are American pressure groups detrimental to democracy? In addition, students will be expected to compare and contrast UK and US politics. In the Upper Sixth, students study UK politics which includes units focusing on the role and powers of the key branches of government including Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Supreme Court. We also study representative processes and democracy, especially the importance and role of referenda, elections and pressure groups in enabling citizens to participate and influence decision-making at Westminster. A key component of the new A Level specification is the requirement to learn about political ideas which have shaped political thinking over the last 200 years, including the writings of Karl Marx, Edmund Burke, Betty Friedan, Michael Oakeshott and Mikhail Bakunin as examples. In both the Lower and Upper Sixth, you will learn progressively how to assemble and deploy evidence, form judgements, and construct lucid, cogent arguments on a range of content. Of course, at the end of each topic, there will be a formal test based on examination criteria, which remains the key form of assessment
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Kingston upon Thames |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £23,460 |
| Address | London Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 6PY |
Politics at KGS is in all senses of the word a 'dynamic' subject. The changing political landscape means that a critical, inquiry-based approach is essential Each year we invite high-profile speakers to debate with us. In recent years we have hosted MPs including Zac Goldsmith, Tonia Antoniazzi and Ed Davey. Our students are encouraged to take the initiative in furthering their political education by, for example, gaining holiday time work experience at Westminster or in an MP's constituency office, perhaps learning the rudiments of campaigns or helping in research. Apart from the academic side, you will have many opportunities to immerse yourselves fully in this living subject. Politics has never been more relevant and important than it is today.
As a minimum, students must achieve at least grade 7 (equivalent to A grade) in four separate subjects. In addition, all students must achieve a minimum grade of 6 (equivalent to a high B grade) in Mathematics and English GCSE or IGCSE. Please also note that a minimum of grade 7 is required in those subjects, or closely related subjects, that students wish to study for A Level with the exception of Mathematics where students will require a minimum grade 8 at GCSE and Further Mathematics where students will require a minimum grade 9 at GCSE.
In the Lower Sixth, students study American government and politics, with special emphasis on the office of the Presidency, foreign and domestic policy, the Supreme Court, Congress, political parties and race issues, to name a few key areas. Key questions which students debate and discuss could be: To what extent are Prime Ministers presidential? Which is more powerful, Congress or the Presidency? Are American pressure groups detrimental to democracy? In addition, students will be expected to compare and contrast UK and US politics. In the Upper Sixth, students study UK politics which includes units focusing on the role and powers of the key branches of government including Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Supreme Court. We also study representative processes and democracy, especially the importance and role of referenda, elections and pressure groups in enabling citizens to participate and influence decision-making at Westminster. A key component of the new A Level specification is the requirement to learn about political ideas which have shaped political thinking over the last 200 years, including the writings of Karl Marx, Edmund Burke, Betty Friedan, Michael Oakeshott and Mikhail Bakunin as examples. In both the Lower and Upper Sixth, you will learn progressively how to assemble and deploy evidence, form judgements, and construct lucid, cogent arguments on a range of content. Of course, at the end of each topic, there will be a formal test based on examination criteria, which remains the key form of assessment