A Level - Politics

Politics is the study of how countries make laws, how they arrived at the ideas and values that hold their peoples together and how decisions are enforced. It is one of the oldest subjects in history with great thinkers such as Socrates and Plato spending many hours debating over what system is the best to organise human beings.

The subject covers the institutions that create and uphold a political system such as Parliament, Congress, Supreme Courts, as well as the participation aspect for citizens of a country such as human rights, political parties, electoral systems and pressure groups and how these interact with the populace. At St. Peter’s we study British politics and American politics.

Alongside these, we also explore how moral and ethical frameworks influence political thought. For example, Catholic Social Teaching offers principles such as human dignity, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity, which shape debates on social justice, welfare, and the role of the state. These ideas provide an important perspective on how societies balance individual rights with collective responsibility.

Politics will give you a better understanding of the world, and there has never been a more exciting time to study it. Brexit, political leaders and new parties have all created questions about our political system and this is what we will investigate. It will also develop skills that are essential for many jobs.

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Intent

Our Politics A Level course aims to develop students understanding of political systems, ideologies, and institutions in the UK and globally. The intent is to:

• Foster critical thinking and analytical skills by exploring contemporary political issues.
• Equip students with knowledge of democracy, governance, and political participation.
• Prepare students for informed citizenship and future academic or career pathways in politics, law, journalism, and public service.

Implementation:

The course follows the Edexcel specification and is delivered through:

• Three main components
  1. UK Politics Democracy, participation, political parties, electoral systems, and voting behaviour.
  2. UK Government The constitution, Parliament, Prime Minister, and the judiciary.
  3. Comparative Politics US politics and political ideologies (liberalism, conservatism, socialism, feminism).
• A blend of teaching strategies: debates, case studies, essay writing, and independent research.
• Regular assessments including essays, source analysis, and mock exams to build exam technique.
• Use of current events and media to link theory to practice.

Impact:

By the end of the course, students will:

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of political systems, ideologies, and institutions in the UK and globally.
• Articulate and apply the three key Assessment Objectives (AOs): 
  • AO1: Knowledge and Understanding Accurately explain political concepts, institutions, and processes using relevant examples.
  • AO2: Analysis and Evaluation Critically analyse political ideas and arguments, making balanced and substantiated judgments.
  • AO3: Skills of Comparison and Synoptic Thinking Compare political systems and ideologies across contexts (e.g., UK and US), drawing connections and evaluating similarities and differences.
• Show confidence in constructing well-argued essays and responses that meet these objectives.
• Achieve strong academic outcomes, with many progressing to degrees in Politics, International Relations, Law, and related fields.
• Develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving

Curriculum Overview by Year Group and Term