Politics

Introduction to Department:

The Politics department develops students who can understand and critically analyse political systems, ideas and debates. Through the study of UK and US politics and core political ideologies, an understanding of how power operates and how citizens participate in political life is developed. By the end of the course, students are able to evaluate political developments critically and communicate arguments clearly in both written essays and discussion.

The curriculum is delivered through the Edexcel A-level specification. Content is taught through teacher explanation, structured discussion, debate and independent research. Essay writing and engagement with contemporary political events form a central part of the course.

The impact of this approach is reflected in strong examination outcomes, with 90% of students achieving A*–B grades in 2025. Students regularly progress to higher education courses in politics-related disciplines, including PPE and Politics and International Relations.

Extra and Super-curricular:

All Politics students are expected to participate in the school Politics Society. This student-led society hosts a range of speakers from the world of politics including Members of Parliament, members of the House of Lords, journalists and academics.

The society has hosted a number of major public events. In 2016 the largest Brexit debate in the South West was hosted. In 2019 hustings were organised for the European Parliament elections. In 2024 the largest General Election hustings in Salisbury were hosted.

Visits to the Houses of Parliament are routinely organised as part of the course. A visit to the European Parliament in Brussels was also undertaken in 2018.

Results & Achievements:

Students have been elected as representatives to Wiltshire Youth Council and the UK Youth Parliament.

Useful Websites

Learning by Key Stage

KS5

Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Politics (9PL0)

The course consists of three components: UK Politics, UK Government and US Government and Politics, alongside the study of political ideologies.

Component 1: UK Politics
Students study democracy and political participation, including political parties, pressure groups, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media. Political ideas studied include liberalism, conservatism and socialism.

Component 2: UK Government
Students study the constitution, Parliament, the Prime Minister and the executive. Political ideas studied include feminism.

Component 3: US Government and Politics
Students study the institutions and political processes of the United States alongside comparative analysis of the UK and US political systems.

The subject is taught by two teachers using a range of methods including teacher explanation, structured discussion, debate and independent research. Students complete essays at the end of each topic and undertake regular homework and independent study outside the classroom. Assessment is through three examination papers, each contributing one third of the final grade. The examinations are primarily essay-based.

As politics is a rapidly changing subject, close engagement with current affairs in both the UK and the US is expected. Students are encouraged to follow developments through a range of sources including:

Newspapers such as The Guardian and The Times, and political magazines such as The Economist, New Statesman and The Spectator.

Broadcast media including the BBC, Channel 4 News and podcasts such as Newscast, Americast, The Rest is Politics, The News Agents and Past Present Future.

Social media sources including established news outlets, educational platforms such as PoliticsJOE and TLDR News, official political institutions including UK Parliament and the White House, political parties and representatives, and political journalists.

Staff

Head of Department: Oliver Stamp ojs@bishopwordsworths.org.uk

Teachers of: Anita Horsell ash@bishopwordsworths.org.uk

Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School