Politics at KS5

parliament

Can We Help?

If you require any further information about the curriculum we are following in this subject, please contact the Head of Department.

Course ID
Edexcel 9PLO
Faculty
Social Sciences
Department
Social Sciences
Level
Key Stage 5 ('A' Level)
Head of Faculty
J. David
Head of Department
J. David

Politics will appeal to those who have an interest in current affairs and the changing political landscape in the 21st century. Studying Politics offers the opportunity to engage in contemporary political debates, develop knowledge and understanding of current issues of political or constitutional importance.

Having acquired a structured foundation of political knowledge the course goes on to develop a deeper understanding of the ideas, processes and relationships that shape the evolution of political systems and the lives of citizens. Politics in the UK is studied in the context of the EU and the wider world. The first year course introduces the subject through the study of core UK political procedures and institutions. These include democracy and political participation, party policies and ideas, elections and pressure groups. Also, political processes around key institutions such as the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Parliament, the Constitution and judges and civil liberties. The second year follows the Global Politics route. This explores global governance and key political issues such as national sovereignty, war, poverty, the environment and human rights in the global context. It also entails developing knowledge of the nature of, and theories of, international relations.

Curriculum Termly Breakdown by Year

Year 12

Term Unit of Work Assessment
Autumn 1 Introduction to politics and government.
Democracy.
Political Parties.
Timed End of Topic test / essay.
Autumn 2 Elections and Referendums.
Voting behaviour and the media.
(AS) Mock exam, Paper 1.
Spring 1 Constitution.
Parliament.
Timed end of topic test / essay.
Spring 2 Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Relations between the Branches.
Timed end of topic test / essay.
Summer 1 Relations between the Branches.
Revision.
(AS) Mock exam 8PLO Papers 1 and 2.
Summer 2 Political ideas – Liberalism.  

 

Year 13

Term Unit of Work Assessment
Autumn 1 Theories of global politics. Global governance: politics.
Political ideas – Conservatism.
Timed End of Topic test / essay.
Autumn 2 The state and globalisation. Global governance: economic.
Political ideas – Socialism.
Timed End of Topic test / essay.
Mock exam – ‘A’ Level 9PLO – Paper 3.
Spring 1 Power and developments. Global governance: human rights.
Political ideas – Nationalism.
End of Topic test / essay.
Spring 2 Regionalism and the European Union.
Revision.
End of Topic test / essay.
Summer 1 Global governance: environmental.
Revision.
Mock exam ‘A’ Level 9PLO
Papers 1, 2, 3.
Summer 2 ‘A’ Level Examination. ‘A’ Level Examination.

 

Extended Learning

Year 12

Websites Read Visit or Watch Extra
Edexcel Specification Politics; Financial Times (school subscription). UK Government and Politics, Fifth edition (Neil McNaughton) (class textbook); Politics ideas for A Level (Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism, Nationalism, Multiculturalism, Ecologism) (Richard Kelly et al). News and current affairs; Financial Times (school subscription); Politics Review (school subscription). Trips (possible): Parliament; Supreme Court.

 

Year 13

Websites Read Visit or Watch Extra
Edexcel Specification Politics; Financial Times (school subscription). UK Government and Politics, Fifth edition (Neil McNaughton) (class textbook); Politics ideas for A Level (Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism, Nationalism, Multiculturalism, Ecologism) (Richard Kelly et al). News and current affairs; Financial Times (school subscription); Politics Review (school subscription). Trips (possible): Parliament; Supreme Court.