Building upon our long tradition of AS Politics, we have now launched the full A Level. Anyone with an interest in how the British political system works and in current affairs might consider joining us. Clearly there are obvious links for those also studying History and/or Economics. However, other pupils might well wish to opt for it, in order to add another string to their academic bow.
Sixth Form and A Level
A Level Politics – The Edexcel course takes two years to complete and consists of three central elements.
Component 1 involves the study of UK Politics; democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, together with voting behaviour and the media are the topics explored here. Alongside these areas, the core ideas of conservatism, liberalism and socialism are studied.
Component 2 entitled UK Government, consists of further key features of the British system, namely the constitution, parliament, the Prime Minister and executive, together with relationships between the branches of government. One non-core political idea is also tackled, most likely either feminism or nationalism.
Component 3 Comparative Politics, takes us further afield to the USA. Pupils have the opportunity to study the US constitution and federalism, the US Congress, the US Presidency, the Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, together with comparative theories, allowing us to revise the earlier British components.
Three 2 hour exams are undertaken at the end of the two years, but clearly Politics is about more than this. An academic subject with a strong reputation and connections to a number of Arts degrees, Politics is essentially a discussion of government and of ideas that affect the world in which we live.
Exam Results
The average of the results in Politics over the most recent three year period (2022, 2021, 2020) is:
| A* | 24% |
| A* – A | 54% |
| A* – B | 90% |
