Politics is offered in the Sixth Form at A Level. Groups will typically be eight to ten in number and the Edexcel examination specification is followed. Papers 1 and 2 provide an understanding of how the UK political system works and how it is linked to contemporary political structures and issues in their historical context. We look firstly at how people are involved in politics and democracy through political parties, electoral systems and voting behaviour and the media. Secondly we study how the UK is governed which takes in topics on the constitution, parliament, prime minister and relations between institutions. Both papers focus on the political ideas of nationalism, socialism, liberalism and conservatism. This encourages a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes. In Paper 3 students will explore the US Constitution and Federalism, US Congress, US Presidency, US Supreme Court, democracy and participation and civil rights. Students will study the impact of the US government on the world beyond its borders by comparing and contrasting politics and institutions in the US with those in the UK. This will develop a wider understanding of politics as a discipline, underpinned by the theoretical concepts of comparative politics.
At least 5 GCSEs at grades 9-5, including English and Mathematics. History GCSE is also helpful. Students should have an interest in current affairs.
Component 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas Weighting: 33% Marks: 84 Length of paper: 2 Hours Unit 1: UK politics and government, providing them with a core set of knowledge and understanding about politics. Assessments will develop students’ skills in critical thinking and analysis, using a variety of question types, sources and materials. We look firstly at how people are involved in politics and democracy, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media, and three core political ideas. Component 2: UK Government and Non-Core Political Ideologies Weighting: 33% Marks: 84 Length of paper: 2 Hours Unit 2: We study constitution, parliament, prime minister and cabinet, t he relationship between the branches, and one optional ideology, nationalism. Assessments will focus on the ability of students to analyse source information and to evaluate and balance arguments. They will need to be able to use contemporary political issues in their essays. Component 3: Comparative Politics - US Weighting: 33 % Marks: 84 Length of paper: 2 Hours Unit 3: The government and politics of the USA. Students will explore the US Constitution and the arguments surrounding this guiding document of US democracy. In learning about the key institutions of government in the USA and analysing the manner in which they achieve this power and exercise it over their citizens, students will judge ultimately whether ‘liberty and justice for all’ has been achieved in the USA. Students will be expected to highlight the debates on the nature of democracy in the USA and evaluate the extent to which it remains an issue. Some comparison between UK and US institutions will also be undertaken.
About Education Provider
| Region | South East |
| Local Authority | Surrey |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £11,085 - £20,193 |
| Address | Church Street, Ewell, Epsom, KT17 2AW |
Politics is offered in the Sixth Form at A Level. Groups will typically be eight to ten in number and the Edexcel examination specification is followed. Papers 1 and 2 provide an understanding of how the UK political system works and how it is linked to contemporary political structures and issues in their historical context. We look firstly at how people are involved in politics and democracy through political parties, electoral systems and voting behaviour and the media. Secondly we study how the UK is governed which takes in topics on the constitution, parliament, prime minister and relations between institutions. Both papers focus on the political ideas of nationalism, socialism, liberalism and conservatism. This encourages a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes. In Paper 3 students will explore the US Constitution and Federalism, US Congress, US Presidency, US Supreme Court, democracy and participation and civil rights. Students will study the impact of the US government on the world beyond its borders by comparing and contrasting politics and institutions in the US with those in the UK. This will develop a wider understanding of politics as a discipline, underpinned by the theoretical concepts of comparative politics.
At least 5 GCSEs at grades 9-5, including English and Mathematics. History GCSE is also helpful. Students should have an interest in current affairs.
Component 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas Weighting: 33% Marks: 84 Length of paper: 2 Hours Unit 1: UK politics and government, providing them with a core set of knowledge and understanding about politics. Assessments will develop students’ skills in critical thinking and analysis, using a variety of question types, sources and materials. We look firstly at how people are involved in politics and democracy, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media, and three core political ideas. Component 2: UK Government and Non-Core Political Ideologies Weighting: 33% Marks: 84 Length of paper: 2 Hours Unit 2: We study constitution, parliament, prime minister and cabinet, t he relationship between the branches, and one optional ideology, nationalism. Assessments will focus on the ability of students to analyse source information and to evaluate and balance arguments. They will need to be able to use contemporary political issues in their essays. Component 3: Comparative Politics - US Weighting: 33 % Marks: 84 Length of paper: 2 Hours Unit 3: The government and politics of the USA. Students will explore the US Constitution and the arguments surrounding this guiding document of US democracy. In learning about the key institutions of government in the USA and analysing the manner in which they achieve this power and exercise it over their citizens, students will judge ultimately whether ‘liberty and justice for all’ has been achieved in the USA. Students will be expected to highlight the debates on the nature of democracy in the USA and evaluate the extent to which it remains an issue. Some comparison between UK and US institutions will also be undertaken.