Term 1
UK Politics
Democracy and Participation
Political Parties
UK Government
The Constitution
Knowledge:
During the Autumn Term, students are introduced to the foundations of politics in the United Kingdom through the study of democracy, participation, political parties and the UK Constitution. They explore representative and direct democracy, the extension of the franchise, electoral participation, pressure groups and the protection of rights before examining the role, organisation and development of political parties within the modern British political system.
Alongside this, students develop an understanding of the UK’s uncodified constitution, constitutional reform since 1997, devolution and debates surrounding constitutional change. They also investigate the structure and role of Parliament, considering the powers of the House of Commons and House of Lords, the legislative process and Parliament’s effectiveness in scrutinising government.
Skills:
Throughout the term, students develop the core analytical skills required at A Level. They learn to interpret political information, analyse competing viewpoints, construct balanced arguments and make substantiated judgements using contemporary political examples. Students also begin developing effective essay-writing and source analysis techniques, laying the foundations for success throughout the course.
Useful Links
Websites
UK Parliament – How Parliament Works
https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/
UK Parliament Education
https://learning.parliament.uk/
Electoral Commission
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/
Institute for Government
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/
House of Commons Library Research Briefings
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/
BBC News Politics
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics
Podcasts
The Rest Is Politics
The Rest Is Politics – Podcast – Apple Podcasts
Electoral Dysfunction
Electoral Dysfunction – Podcast – Apple Podcasts
Talking Politics (archive)
Talking Politics | Podcast on Spotify
Assessments:
Standardised assessments are based on examination-style questions and are designed to assess students’ knowledge, understanding and historical skills in line with the demands of the Pearson Edexcel specification. Additional assessments may be completed throughout the course to meet the needs of individual classes and students; however, those outlined below form the standardised assessment framework used across the department.
As part of the Year 12 November Assessment Week, Politics students will sit two examination-style assessments, one for each of the topics studied during the first term: ‘UK Politics’ and ‘UK Government’.
Sixth Form November Assessment Week
- UK Politics – 30 marks
- UK Government – 30 marks
UK Politics
Assessed Task 1: Evaluate the extent the UK is suffering from a Democratic Deficit [30 marks]
Assessed Task 2: Using the source, evaluate the view that the UK is experiencing a participation crisis [30 marks]
UK Government
Assessed Task 1: Evaluate the view that the UK should introduce a codified constitution. [30 marks]
Assessed Task 2: Using the source, evaluate the view that the logical next step after devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is the devolution of further power to England. [30 marks]
Term 2
UK Politics
Electoral Systems
UK Government
Parliament
Prime Minister and Executive
Knowledge:
During the Spring Term, students deepen their understanding of political representation through the study of electoral systems and referendums. They evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different voting systems, consider debates surrounding electoral reform and assess how electoral systems shape democratic representation within the United Kingdom.
Alongside this, students examine the role of the Prime Minister and Executive, exploring executive power, Cabinet government, ministerial responsibility and the relationship between the Executive and Parliament. Students investigate how political leadership has evolved and evaluate differing interpretations of executive dominance within the British political system.
Skills:
Students continue to develop their analytical and evaluative writing by applying political theory to contemporary issues. Greater emphasis is placed on comparing interpretations, constructing sustained arguments and selecting appropriate political evidence to support balanced conclusions.
Useful Links
Websites
Electoral Reform Society
https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/
UK Parliament – Prime Minister and Cabinet
https://www.parliament.uk/
Institute for Government – Prime Minister & Cabinet
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/
Cabinet Office
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office
BBC Politics Live
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics
Podcasts
The Rest Is Politics
The Rest Is Politics – Podcast – Apple Podcasts
Electoral Dysfunction
Electoral Dysfunction – Podcast – Apple Podcasts
Talking Politics (archive)
Talking Politics | Podcast on Spotify
Assessments:
Standardised assessments are based on examination-style questions and are designed to assess students’ knowledge, understanding and historical skills in line with the demands of the Pearson Edexcel specification. Additional assessments may be completed throughout the course to meet the needs of individual classes and students; however, those outlined below form the standardised assessment framework used across the department.
As part of the Year 12 February Assessment Week, Politics students will sit two examination-style assessments, one for each of the topics studied during the first term: ‘UK Politics’ and ‘UK Government’.
Sixth Form February Assessment Week
- UK Politics – 60 marks
- UK Government – 60 marks
UK Politics
Assessed Task 1: Evaluate the view that smaller and emerging parties are playing an increased role in UK Politics [30 marks]
Assessed Task 2: Using the source, evaluate the view that referendums create more problems than solutions [30 marks]
UK Government
Assessed Task 1: Using the source, evaluate the view that the House of Lords is in need of major reform. [30 marks]
Assessed Task 2: Evaluate the view that the House of Commons is effective in holding the executive to account. [30 marks]
Term 3
UK Politics
Voting Behaviour and the Media
UK Government
Relations Between the Branches
Comparative Politics
US Constitution and Federalism
Political Ideas
Introduction to Ideologies
Knowledge:
The Summer Term completes the Year 12 study of UK Politics and UK Government, before introducing students to comparative politics and political ideology. Students investigate the factors influencing voting behaviour, including social class, age, region, ethnicity, media influence and political campaigning, whilst also examining the relationships between Parliament, the Executive and the judiciary, including parliamentary sovereignty and the role of the Supreme Court. Students then begin studying the Government and Politics of the United States through an exploration of the US Constitution, federalism and constitutional principles. Alongside this, they are introduced to political ideologies, beginning with feminism and the wider study of political thought.
Skills:
Throughout the term, students further develop their comparative analytical skills through an introduction to US Politics, allowing them to compare political institutions and processes in the United Kingdom and the United States. They also begin to engage with political ideologies, developing their ability to evaluate abstract political concepts and competing viewpoints. Examination technique is further refined through extended essay writing, source analysis and the application of contemporary political examples to construct well-supported arguments.
Useful Links
Websites
Supreme Court UK
https://www.supremecourt.uk/
YouGov Political Polling
https://yougov.co.uk/
National Constitution Center (USA)
https://constitutioncenter.org/
White House
https://www.whitehouse.gov/
Congress.gov
https://www.congress.gov/
Podcasts
BBC Radio 4 – In Our Time, Feminism
BBC Radio 4 – In Our Time, Feminism
The Rest Is Politics
The Rest Is Politics – Podcast – Apple Podcasts
Electoral Dysfunction
Electoral Dysfunction – Podcast – Apple Podcasts
Talking Politics (archive)
Talking Politics | Podcast on Spotify
Assessments:
Standardised assessments are based on examination-style questions and are designed to assess students’ knowledge, understanding and historical skills in line with the demands of the Pearson Edexcel specification. Additional assessments may be completed throughout the course to meet the needs of individual classes and students; however, those outlined below form the standardised assessment framework used across the department.
As part of the Year 12 June Preparatory Exams History students will sit two examination-style assessments, one for each of the topics studied during the first term: ‘UK Politics’ and ‘UK Government’.
Sixth Form June Assessment Week:
- UK Politics – 60 marks
- UK Government – 60 marks
UK Politics
Assessed Task 1: Evaluate the view that General Elections are lost by the government, rather than won by the opposition [30 marks]
Assessed Task 2: Using the source, evaluate the view that Opinion Polls are beneficial to UK Democracy [30 marks]
UK Government
Assessed Task 1: Evaluate the view the Supreme Court is neutral and independent of the UK government. [30 marks]
Assessed Task 2: Evaluate the view that Parliament retains sole sovereignty within the UK political system. [30 marks]
