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Politics

"History is the Politics of the past and Politics is the History of the present." Andrew Heywood

Head of Department: Dr B Quinn

Teachers: Ms L Ferracane, Ms A Gow-Smith

The Politics Department at Latymer believes strongly that the study of Politics is vital to the intellectual and social development of our pupils. We are committed to providing students with an opportunity to explore the key issues which shape political debate in Britain and throughout the wider world.

The Politics Curriculum at Latymer aims to:

  • Encourage students to be intellectually curious especially about the world around them and how power operates in it.
  • Make students interested in debating controversial issues and excited by new ideas.
  • Develop students who are willing to listen to the views of others and who can appreciate differing viewpoints.
  • Promote an interest in Politics beyond the classroom. At Key Stage 3 this is done through the Years 8 and 9 history forums and the History Society and later through participation in the Politics Podcast and History Magazine. All these forums provide an opportunity to discuss Politics.
  • Foster links with other departments where appropriate.
  • Develop transferable skills, such as oratory and essay writing skills.
  • Produce students who are critical thinkers and can evaluate arguments through an appreciation of alternative perspectives on key issues.
  • Develop students who are confident enough and passionate enough to take Politics at university.

KEY STAGE 5

At A Level we follow the Edexcel Politics specification. In Year 12 pupils explore the key features of domestic British politics and in Year 13 they combine a study of modern political ideologies with an exploration of global politics.

UK Politics UK Government Comparative Politics
  • Democracy and participation
  • Political parties
  • Elections and electoral systems
  • Voting behaviour and the media
  • Ideologies: socialism, liberalism and conservatism
  • Constitution
  • Parliament
  • Prime Minister and Executive
  • Relations between institutions: EU, Supreme Court
  • Ideologies: feminism or multiculturalism
  • Sovereignty
  • Global governance: economic and political
  • Comparative Theory: realism and liberalism
  • Power – The rise of China
  • Human rights and international law

 

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 

  • Politics Society run by Sixth Form students
  • Guest lecturers
  • Politics Review
  • Online seminars and websites
  • Student subscription to the Historical Association
  • History Magazine (Clio) run by students
  • Politics Podcast

DESTINATIONS

One of our central aims is to produce students who will want to study Politics or Politics-related subjects at university. Between 2018 and 2020, 16 students went on to study Politics or a combination of Politics with another subject, usually History.