Government and Politics
Introduction
Politics is the study of POWER: the people, organisations, events and ideas that shape our lives in Britain today. An understanding of Politics is essential to an understanding of the world and our place in it. As Aristotle wrote, Man is a political animal. We are diminished as citizens without an understanding of the political world. How can we achieve our potential without participating in the political world? It is when we do not participate that evil triumphs.
In the study of Politics at Kirkham Grammar School we try to answer questions such as:
- What factors influence the way people vote?
- What exactly do the main parties believe?
- Why did they have a telescopic opera hat in Parliament?
- What is the difference between positive and negative freedom?
- Should mountains and rivers have rights?
- What is the fundamental nature of the human soul?
People who study politics tend to be interested in current affairs; they enjoy arguing with fellow pupils and their teacher; and they can communicate their ideas on paper.
Lower School
Government and Politics is not offered at this level.
Middle School
Government and Politics is not offered as a GCSE subject, although all Fifth Year pupils attend a Citizenship session in which the workings of the British political system are explained.
Senior School
Government and Politics
Board: Edexcel
Co-Curricular
Visit to one of the annual party conferences.
Sixth Form Discussion Group – weekly meetings.
Sixth Form
What is it?
It is the study of POWER: the people, organisations, events and ideas that shape our lives in Britain and the USA today.
What topics do we study?
In the Lower Sixth we try to answer such questions as:
- What factors influence the way people vote?
- Is our voting system fair?
- Can we really trust our politicians?
- What exactly do the main parties believe?
In the Upper Sixth we study the USA:
- Why did Joe Biden win the 2020 election?
- Why are Americans still allowed to carry guns?
Who can study politics?
ANYONE, as long as you:
- are INTERESTED in current affairs
- enjoy ARGUING with your fellow pupils and teacher
- can COMMUNICATE your ideas on paper
What is it useful for?
Previous pupils have gone on to study a variety of degrees at top universities, including PPE at Oxford, law at Nottingham, history & politics at Durham, politics at Leeds, and economics at Manchester.
What other subjects does it go with?
Traditionally it has appealed to pupils taking other arts and social sciences such as economics, English, geography, history, modern languages, psychology and religious studies.
It would also make an ideal third subject for anyone. Universities are keen on pupils with a broad combination of subjects. Politics shows them that you can communicate effectively and that you are interested in the events of the world around you.
The course we currently follow is the Edexcel Government and Politics specification.