Why do we learn government and politics?
Studying Politics empowers students to understand the distribution of power in society, and to critically analyse the impact this has on individuals, as well as a whole nation, or region. The subject equips students with the skills and knowledge required to understand electoral systems and processes in the UK, which helps students to become responsible citizens who understand the crucial role they must play in a democratic society, and the shared responsibility of holding politicians and governments to account. An understanding of how leaders are elected, impactful decisions and made and the rights and responsibilities of citizens is vital for learners to become politically engaged citizens, who exercise their right to vote and to be and stay informed. Students also develop an understanding of global politics, and the impact globalisation has had on a range of political issues, as well as the increasing interconnectedness of geo-politics in the globalised world/. This also enables them to understand and analyse current global affairs, such as issues relating to the European Union and global conflicts.
Head of Department
Ms Angela Charalambous
Our approach
Through studying political ideologies, such as socialism, conservatism, liberalism and feminism, students gain a fundamental grounding in classic and current political thought, routed in the enlightenment, which still impacts our understanding of politics today. Through the study of British politics in Year 12, they develop a good understanding of the politics system in our own country, as well as engaging in topical debates such as whether there is a participation crisis in Politics, where sovereignty lies in the UK and whether the country is run by elective dictatorships. Students study British politics first to gain a grounding in key political ideas, before applying these to international issues. In studying global politics, students gain a much broader understanding of international relations and how politics is changing in a globalised world, for example, in analysing the diminishing power of the state and national sovereignty.
Year 12 - Government and Politics
| Autumn |
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Constitution Democracy suffrage Parliament Democracy pressure groups Prime Minister and Executive |
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How democractic is the UK? What are the powers of the executive branch? How is parliament structured and laws made? |
| Spring |
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Relations between the branches Political parties Electoral systems Voting behaviour and media |
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What different political parties exist? What influence do they have? What are the merits of different electoral systems? |
| Summer |
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Feminism Liberalism Conservatism Socialism |
| What different types of feminism/liberalism/conservatism/socialism exist and how have they influenced political thought? |
Year 13 - Government and Politics
| Autumn |
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The state and globalisation Comparative theories Global governance - political and economic Global governance - HR and environmental |
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What impact has globalisation had on the concept of a nation state? What are the differences between liberal and realist views of conflict? |
| Spring |
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EU and regionalism Power and development |
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What different forms of regionalism exist? What impact has regionalism had on contemporary issues? |
| Summer |
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| Revision and exams |