Subject Pages
Politics
The study of A Level Politics at Highworth is lively, relevant and supports students to understand the nature of the world around them, becoming well-informed citizens within our society. Politics is the most ever-changing of all subject disciplines and students will be supported to keep up to date and challenge themselves to develop confidence in research, written communication and debating skills.
Staffing
Head of Department |
Mr M Duncan |
Teachers
|
Mr M Clayton Mr M Phillips Mr S White |
Prefect | Sophie |
Curriculum Map
Click here for the Politics Curriculum Map
A Level
Content
Students beginning Year 12 in September 2024 will study the Edexcel A Level Politics specification throughout the entirety of their A Level studies. They complete the following units, examined with three papers at the end of Year 13:
Paper 1:
UK Politics and Core Political Ideas (33% of the qualification):
- Democracy and participation.
- Political parties.
- Electoral systems.
- Voting behaviour and the media.
- Liberalism.
- Conservatism.
- Socialism.
Paper 2:
UK Government and Non-core Political Ideas (33% of the qualification):
- The Constitution.
- Parliament.
- Prime Minister and executive.
- Relationships between the branches.
- Feminism.
Paper 3:
US and Comparative Politics (33% of the qualification):
- The US Constitution and federalism.
- US Congress.
- US presidency.
- US Supreme Court and civil rights.
- Democracy and participation.
- Comparative theories.
Please click here for the Edexcel A Level Politics specification.
Assessment, Marking and Feedback
There are three assessment objectives for the Edexcel A Level:
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues (35%).
AO2: Analyse aspects of politics and political information, including in relation to parallels, connections, similarities and differences (35%).
AO3: Evaluate aspects of politics and political information, including to construct arguments, make substantiated judgements and draw conclusions (30%).
Students beginning Year 13 in September 2024 will finish their study of the AQA A Level Politics specification. They complete the following units, examined with three papers at the end of Year 13:
Paper 1:
Government and Politics of the UK (33% of the qualification):
- The nature and sources of the British Constitution.
- The structure and role of Parliament.
- The Prime Minister and cabinet.
- The judiciary.
- Devolution.
- Democracy and participation.
- Elections and referendums.
- Political parties.
- Pressure groups.
- The European Union.
Paper 2:
Government and Politics of the USA and Comparative Politics (33% of the qualification):
- The constitutional framework of US government.
- The legislative branch of government: Congress.
- The executive branch of government: President.
- The judicial branch of government.
- The electoral process and direct democracy.
- Political parties.
- Pressure groups.
- Civil rights.
- Comparative politics.
Paper 3:
Political Ideas (33% of the qualification):
- Liberalism.
- Conservatism.
- Socialism.
- Nationalism or Feminism.
Please click here for the AQA A Level Politics specification.
There are three assessment objectives for the AQA A Level:
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues (30-40%).
AO2: Analyse aspects of politics and political information, including in relation to parallels, connections, similarities and differences (35-45%).
AO3: Evaluate aspects of politics and political information, including to construct arguments, make substantiated judgements and draw conclusions (25-35%).
The department takes an evidence-informed approach to teaching and learning, including in terms of how to provide feedback to our learners. The Education Endowment Foundation’s report into Teacher Feedback to Improve Pupil Learning includes the following principles as recommendations:
- Feedback should focus on moving learning forward, targeting the specific learning gaps that pupils exhibit. Specifically, high quality feedback may focus on the task, subject, and self-regulation strategies.
- Teachers should also provide opportunities for pupils to use feedback. Only then will the feedback loop be closed so that pupil learning can progress.
The primary method of assessment and feedback in Politics lessons is formative, taking place each and every lesson through strategies such as pair or group discussion, teacher questioning and circulation, starters and plenaries. It is vital to build a strong sense of the formative nature of feedback – whereby advice is offered to move students forwards – as a positive way to improve and develop the understanding and skills they command.
When students have completed assessed pieces of work, this will be returned to them within two weeks including feedback in line with the above principles. Students will then be expected to act on this in order to close the feedback loop and demonstrate an improvement in their knowledge and understanding – ensuring that all assessments serve as tools to enhance learning. Students will be made aware of how their work lines up against the A Level assessment criteria and what grade they are currently working at.
Specification
Please click here for the AQA A Level Politics specification
Reach Stars
Exam Support
Advice
Students who are successful in A Level Politics are willing to extend their knowledge and deepen their understanding through wider reading. It is particularly important that students independently revisit material covered in class so as to ensure they have a consummate command of all units by the end of the course. Students need to develop efficient note-making systems and to be well-organised. They also need to be ready to offer ideas and insights in class as the quality of discussions and debates make a significant contribution to the achievement of the class. Resilience will also be critical, as A Level Politics is challenging and students must recognise that progress will come from responding to setbacks and feedback with a positive mindset and determination to improve. Proactively seeking help is critical.
Past papers
Teachers will share A Level past papers with students on Google Classroom.
Careers
Potential Careers
Journalism, media, central and local government, the civil service, international organisations and business.
For an excellent overview of graduate opportunities, see the following:
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/politics
Extracurricular
Clubs
There is a weekly Model United Nations club for students in Key Stages 4 and 5.
Trips and visits
The History and Politics department recognises the importance of enrichment opportunities in extending learning. Previous opportunities have included:
- A visit to the Houses of Parliament.
- A visit to the UK Supreme Court.
- Visits from Damian Green MP.
- A visit from Sally-Ann Hart MP.
- A visit from Councillor Sally Gathern.
- A visit from Lord Colgrain.
Last year, the Politics cohort enjoyed a lot of extra-curricular opportunities.
They enjoyed visits from Damian Green MP, Sally-Ann Hart MP, Councillor Sally Gathern and Lord Colgrain. Here, students were able to ask questions and gain an insight into the workings of politics beyond the classroom.
Students also visited the Houses of Parliament in February for a comprehensive tour.