Politics Curriculum
Curriculum Intent – Content and Structure
The intended outcomes of what we teach:
Politics students will be provided with a deep insight into the political systems and actions in both the UK and the US. They will also understand the roots of western political ideologies through the works of a number of key political thinkers
In addition, students who study Politics will finish their course with a desire to explore the subject further and foster their interest through uptake of related higher education courses.
Curriculum Implementation
Curriculum Content and Sequence
Year 12
Autumn | Spring | Summer |
| UK Politics Democracy and participation Political parties and pressure groups Electoral systems | UK Politics Voting behaviour The impact of the media | Political Ideas Liberalism Conservatism |
| UK Government The key features of the UK constitution The role and effectiveness of the House of Commons and the House of Lords | UK Government The role and power of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet The role of the Judiciary | UK Government The relationship between the institutions |
Year 13
Autumn | Spring | Summer |
| US Politics The constitution The role and effectiveness of Congress The role and power of the US President The importance of the Supreme Court Comparing all of the above with the UK | US Politics Civil rights in the USA Political parties and interest groups Election and electoral systems Comparing all of the above with the UK | US Politics and UK Government Practice / revision / study leave |
| Political Ideas (one lesson a week only) Socialism Feminism | Political ideas (one lesson a week only) Feminism Revision | Political ideas and UK Politics Revision / exam practice / study leave |
The Rationale for the Content and Sequence of what we Teach
Year | Why we Teach this Content and how the Content and Sequence of Topics Benefits our Students. |
Year 12 | Politics is taught as a new subject in Year 12, therefore initial content in the first term is based around establishing basic knowledge of the UK political system. We take a building block approach to the knowledge which fits in with the approach of the syllabus and the published resources we use. One cannot look at the relationship between the different branches of Government for example without looking at each of these in turn first. |
Year 13 | The USA is taught in Year 13 because that is the way the course is set up, especially with the comparative element. This is contained on the same paper as the USA so it cannot be taught before the UK Politics and Government is taught |
Key Stage 5 (KS5) only:
What exam board/syllabus do you teach?
Edexcel
Why have you chosen this syllabus?
Edexcel is the most popular exam board and therefore very well resourced. The question stems were consistent with the essay skills our students had worked on prior to the exam reforms.
In what ways is it suited to your students?
The aim of giving students a broad understanding of political systems and actions, as well as the ideologies that underpin these actions and systems, is well provided for by the Edexcel syllabus. In addition, there are lots of resources available, both published and online, for our students to prepare for their exams with, in addition to those provided by the school.
Curriculum Implementation
The subject specific habits and behaviours we develop (or intend to develop) in our students
Subject Specific Habits and Behaviours | How we embed these in our students |
| Using current events and relating them to political questions Making comparisons between two political systems. Analysing and evaluating two sides of political arguments/debates | Discussions in lessons. Weekly focus on news events and how these relate to different areas of the course.
Student led presentations |
Academy Ethos
Academy Curriculum Intent | How our department’s curriculum content and teaching approaches reflect the whole Academy ethos |
| A Curricular and Pastoral commitment to Micah 6v8: Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God.
A commitment to make learning enjoyable, engaging, relevant and challenging.
Effective collaboration across all parts of the Academy.
A willingness to embrace research and innovation in order to enhance the learning potential of our students. Recognising and rewarding effective use of learning habits as well as academic achievement. | Social justice is a key element of all political debates, from ideologies to interest groups to party policies to government structures and the way that rights are imbedded into the constitutions We always expect the best from our students in terms of their learning. Getting students to take personal responsibility for their learning is a big part of this. Lessons are planned to be engaging. Without engagement, the quality of learning decreases. As an examined subject, knowledge is clearly key. Without a development of knowledge and an understanding as to how the areas link to each other, there can be no understanding. Teachers have great experience. Each uses their own approach, which leads to consistency and fairness as the teacher has ownership of it. All politics teachers have great experience and an excellent knowledge of the course. All continually develop their knowledge. Social Sciences cover four A Level subjects, and we continually share good practice. We collaborate regarding students who are under achieving. Same as above. The department has used Teams well. New ideas from CPD are implemented such as retrieval practice. Effort and Learning habits are recorded on the students’ termly reports. Students are encouraged to develop their independent learning skills. |
Implementation
Academy Ethos
Micah 6v8: Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God | ||||
Curriculum Content Opportunities | Curriculum Delivery Opportunities | |||
| Justice | Political Ideologies Political parties Protection of rights Civil Rights Pressure groups and interest groups The role and power of the Supreme Court | Class debates Group discussions Essay preparation and completion | ||
| Kindness | Political Ideologies Political parties Protection of rights Civil Rights The role and power of the Supreme Court | Class debates Group discussions Essay preparation and completion | ||
| Humility | Limitations on the powers of leaders Check and balances | Class debates Group discussions Essay preparation and completion | ||
Please click here to access the full Politics curriculum document.