Politics is an exciting subject, giving students the opportunity to learn about and analyse how people gain power and influence.
To enhance their understanding, students will be offered a range of extra-curricular opportunities, including potential visits to political institutions, political parties and pressure groups, and talks from external speakers.
This subject was offered for the first time at The Knights Templar School from September 2015.
Courses Offered
A Level Politics (Edexcel)
Syllabus Breakdown
All assessment is by external written examination
Unit 1 – UK Politics
- Political participation – democracy, participating, parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour, the media,
- Core political ideas - conservatism, liberalism, socialism
Unit 2 – UK Government
- The constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches
- One idea from the following: anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, nationalism (in recent years we have taught nationalism)
Unit 3 – Comparative Politics (3A)
- The US constitution and federalism, US Congress, US Presidency, US Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, comparative theories
Each unit is assessed at the end of Year 13 through a written examination. Each unit is worth 33.3% of the A level.
Subject Key Concepts
#1 Power, Authority, and Legitimacy #2 Systems
#3 Participation #4 Political History
#5 Political Ideas
Please click here for Subject Key Concepts.
Curriculum Overview
Please click here for a PDF Year 12 curriculum overview for the year.
Please click here for a PDF Year 13 curriculum overview for the year.
Minimum Entry Requirements
All students must meet our general Sixth Form entry requirements of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above.
Why Study Politics?
We are all affected by politics. Thousands of decisions made by voters and politicians have determined issues from the cost of a bus ticket, to whether our school can be rebuilt, to the cost of university tuition fees. It is therefore essential that we not only engage in our politics, but understand how we can do so effectively.
Politics is an exciting subject. Recent events, such as Brexit, the Black Lives Matter movement, the rise and fall (and rise again?) of President Trump, the Coronavirus pandemic, and the cost of living crisis show how fast political priorities can change. If you have an interest in current affairs and an interest in debating contemporary issues, then A level Politics is the right choice for you.
Wider Opportunities
Students who study A level Politics will be offered a range of extra-curricular opportunities, which may include debating and participation in debating competitions, external speakers, including elected politicians, visiting the Houses of Parliament, the UK Supreme Court and the offices of political parties and pressure groups.
Related Subjects
- Economics
- History
- Modern Foreign Languages
However, politics affects everything, so would complement any subject combination.
What Our Students Say:
'Politics is an interesting subject that enables you to understand how Britain works and possibly influence it one day!’
‘I took Politics as it isn’t just for old men in suits, it affects all our lives so it’s important that we understand it.’
'I chose Politics as I want to understand how the inside of our government works and how our country is run.’
‘I chose Politics as it’s a really interesting and relevant subject that I’m excited to learn more about.’
What Can I Do Next?
With an A level in Politics you could move on to study Political Science or International Relations at university, or alternatively study degrees in related subjects such as Economics, History, Law or Modern Foreign Languages.
This course is particularly recommended to students hoping to work for campaigning organisations and charities, or in the civil service, journalism, law, local government or politics itself.
