Carol Service, St Mary's Church (pupils may leave after the Service)
From Trump to Treaties and Brexit to Biden - studying the subject involves the examination of fascinating real-life, present-day institutions of power and the individuals at the heart of them. If understanding what’s going on in the UK with the Prime Minister, Parliament, the Government, and major issues interests you, then Politics is the subject for you. If you’re excited about elections in the USA, the Presidency, Congress & Supreme Court, then study politics!
Trips take place to the Westminster Parliament & Whitehall, the Northern Ireland Assembly & sites of The Troubles, and also to Washington DC. There are regular opportunities in school to hear talks from visiting politicians and individuals of note.
A Level - Main Topic Areas
UK Government & Politics
The British Constitution, the role & workings of Parliament, the Prime Minister & Cabinet, the law courts, electoral systems, elections, Scottish/Welsh/Northern-Irish parliaments/assemblies, political parties (Conservatives, Labour, Greens etc), rights to protest and pressure groups.
US Government & Politics
The Constitution & Bill of Rights, Congress, the President & White House, the Supreme Court, electoral systems, elections, political parties (Republicans & Democrats etc), pressure groups and civil rights.
Comparative Politics & Political Ideas
Comparing the content of the above two political systems (US & UK) to find areas of similarity and difference. The thoughts and practices that form the following political ideas and the key individuals behind them: liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and feminism.