Politics
The Politics Department aims to inspire pupils with an interest in global affairs. Pupils are encouraged to think critically, develop opinions, and balance competing viewpoints. Pupils will read the news regularly and engage in debates ranging from electoral reform to the role of a President.
Politics opens doors to careers in law, journalism, government service, research, and sustainable development. It is a subject highly valued by employers and universities.
We follow the Edexcel A Level specification. In Lower Sixth, pupils study UK politics and government and will consider the participation crisis, the role of the prime minister and ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism, and socialism.
In Upper Sixth, In Upper Sixth, pupils study Global Politics and a selection of ideologies from ecologism to feminism and nationalism.
The content is always refreshing itself: pupils can write about events that occur on the day of the exam. Skills of research, analysis and evaluation will be honed both in and outside the classroom. Pupils are encouraged to attend the Model United Nations Society and enter essay competitions. We visit the Houses of Parliament and aim to provide a wide range of public speakers from across the political spectrum.
The course is assessed across three papers:
Paper 1: UK Politics and ‘core’ ideologies
Paper 2: UK Government and ‘non-core’ ideologies
Paper 3: Global Politics
JAMIE GOSTLOW
Head of Politics
jgostlow@downside.co.uk