Politics A level

Highworth Grammar School

Highworth Grammar School, Maidstone Road, Ashford, TN24 8UD

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent

Level 3

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026

Highworth Grammar School

2 Year(s)

Full time

Daytime/working hours

NULL

Please contact the provider directly to apply for this course.

Application Instructions

*IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM HIGHWORTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR SEPTEMBER 2024 APPLICATIONS*

***APPLICATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2024 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED***

Applications Open - midday on 5th January 2024

Applications Close - midday on 2nd February 2024

Entry Requirements: -

As a basic entry requirement to join our Sixth Form, you must have achieved at least 6 GCSE subjects at Grade 6 or above including:

at least a Grade 5 in English

at least a Grade 5 in Mathematics

and the specific entry requirements for each of your subjects.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Open Event: - Open Event details uploaded to Highworth Website as below

https://www.highworth.kent.sch.uk/2165/sixth-form-admissions-information

Course Summary

You will need an interest in current events, as this is an A Level subject that is ever-changing. If you enjoy argument and want to develop a deeper understanding of the world we live in and how it works (or doesn't), you will find A Level Politics fascinating.

Course Details

There are three parts to the course. The first deals with Politics in the UK, across both Papers 1 and 2. This involves exploring how our country's political system works (the constitution as well as the role and powers of Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Supreme Court), as well as studying participation in politics through elections and referendums, including an in-depth examination of a range of political parties and the reasons why people vote the way they do.

Also as part of Papers 1 and 2, students will study the ideas and principles of liberalism, conservatism, socialism and feminism, particularly how each of these ideas relates to human nature, the state, society and the economy. This includes looking at some of the key thinkers whose ideas have helped shape the modern world.

Finally, Paper 3 involves a comparative study in which the American constitution, system of government and political culture are compared with those of the UK. As well as identifying similarities and differences between the two countries, students will also consider a range of possible explanations for the differences.

Discussion and debate will play a very important part in the course and so you should develop the ability to understand different points of view, as well as consider alternatives objectively. You should also learn to argue your own case in a convincing manner, both orally and on paper, and to select relevant evidence to support your points.

How will it be delivered and assessed?

There are three examinations, each of 2 hours in length and taken at the end of Year 13. Each paper is primarily essay-based. There is one examination on UK Politics and the core political ideas of liberalism, conservatism and socialism, one examination on UK Government and the political idea of feminism, and a final examination on US politics including some short-answer questions drawing comparisons between the US and the UK.

Entry requirements

You will need a Grade 6 or above in English or History. You will need to have an interest in current events and political ideas, to follow political issues in the media and to be ready to read articles in journals and on the internet when preparing for writing essays. You should be willing to share ideas in discussion and to listen to other people’s views.

Additional information

https://www.highworth.kent.sch.uk/214/subject-pages/subject/39/politics

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