We seek to develop in our pupils an awareness of the nature of the political process and an appreciation of the relationship between ideology, institutions and individual politicians.
Pupils construct a theoretical constitutional model of the structures of authority and power in the United Kingdom, and they can use this to assess current policy and controversy.
Study of rival political philosophies allows pupils to interpret the motivations of politicians and parties as well as allowing them to develop their own values and beliefs. The foundation of the course is the pupil’s own reading and research, but class discussion and debate are essential means to develop understanding.
Programme of Study Enrichment
Mr O T Moelwyn-Hughes (Head of Department)Mr M A Gow
Politics may only be studied in the Upper School.
The AS course, undertaken in the Lower Sixth, introduces the core concepts of democracy and the constitution. Representative democracy is explored through study of elections and electoral systems, the major political parties and popular pressure groups. The major UK political institutions and their relationships with one another are investigated within the framework of the uncodified constitution. The various elements are brought together in an assessment of the current political scene and the recent developments and reforms.
The A2 course adopts a more philosophical and theoretical approach. The major western ideological traditions are examined in turn, from Liberalism to Feminism, focusing on the core concepts, such as equality or freedom of the individual, but including study of some of the most prominent exponents of the different ideologies. The course concludes by drawing on the AS work to allow an assessment of the state of the ideologies in contemporary Britain.
The Politics Department seeks to be provocative and challenging. We arrange to hear speakers from a range of political parties and pressure groups, and we have lectures on key topics from visiting academics. The more enthusiastic pupils read topical or controversial books and discuss them in small groups.
We organize an annual visit to Westminster for pupils in the Upper Sixth, and we have run our first visit to the United States, with another planned for later this year.
Politics pupils are usually amongst the school’s keenest debaters, and they are given an opportunity to stand in our “mock election” whenever there is a General Election. A school Euro-election is planned.