1. KS5 Curriculum Overview Politics
Exam Board:
Edexcel

2. Statement of intent Key Stage: 5 Subject: Politics
Academic Year:
Students will develop knowledge and understanding of the role politics plays in relation to current local, national, and global issues, as well as studying key thinkers and political ideas. Although Politics stands alone as a subject, it builds upon knowledge and key concepts learnt at both KS3 and KS5 particularly in History for example key terms such as: socialism, political spectrum, hierarchy, tolerance, democracy, right-wing, left-wing and election.
Subject Aims:
Develop knowledge and an informed understanding of contemporary political structures and issues, in the United Kingdom (UK) and globally and a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes
To have an informed understanding of the influences and interests which have an impact on decisions in government and politics
Develop knowledge and understanding of the rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups
Cultivate the ability to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate political information to form arguments and make judgements
Develop an interest in, and engagement with, contemporary politics.
Knowledge and skills:
UK Government and Politics
To investigate how people and politics interact through exploring the emergence and development of the UK’s democratic system and the similarities, differences, connections and parallels between direct and indirect democracy. To focus on the role of political parties, including the significance of the manifestos they publish at election time and their relevance to the mandate of the resulting government. To understand the individual in the political process and their relationship with the state and their fellow citizens. To examine how electoral systems in the UK operate and how individuals and groups are influenced in their voting behaviour and political actions, with a focus on voting patterns, voting behaviour and the role of the media.
To investigate the set of rules governing politics in the UK, the UK Constitution, which is different in nature from most of the rest of the world. To introduce the specific roles and powers of the different major branches of the government – legislative, executive, and judiciary – as well as the relationships and balance of power between them, and consider where sovereignty now lies within this system. To explore the following key themes: the relative powers of the different branches of UK government; the extent to which the constitution has changed in recent years; the desirability of further change; and the current location of sovereignty within the UK political system.
Ideologies
To explore the three traditional political ideas of conservatism, liberalism and socialism and one of five additional political ideas. To learn about the core ideas and principles and how they apply in practice to human nature, the state, society and the economy, the divisions within each idea and their key thinkers.
Government and Politics of the USA
To understand the nature of US democracy, and the debates surrounding it, and the impact USA has on UK, European and global politics. To explore the US Constitution and the arguments surrounding this guiding document of US democracy. In learning about the key institutions of government in the USA and analysing the manner in which they achieve this power and exercise it over their citizens. To debate the nature of democracy in the USA and evaluate the extent to which it remains an issue. To engage with comparing and contrasting politics and institutions in the US with those in the UK. This will develop a wider understanding of politics as a discipline, underpinned by the theoretical concepts of comparative politics.

3. Assessment Curriculum Overview Key Stage: 5 Subject: Politics
Academic Year:
Year
Unit content
Autumn 1
Autumn 2
Spring 1
Spring2
Summer 1
Summer 2
Year 12
Paper 1: UK Politics
Paper 2: UK Government
Key Topic 1
Democracy and participation
Current systems of democracy.
A wider franchise and debates over suffrage.
Pressure groups and other influences.
Key 2 Topic:
Political parties
The functions and features of political parties, UK political parties in context, party systems, factors that affect success
Key Topic 3 :
Electoral systems
Different electoral systems
Referendums and how they are used
Electoral system analysis.
Key Topic 4: Voting behaviour and the Media
The factors that explain the outcomes of elections
Analysis of the national voting-behaviour
Assessment of the role and impact of the media on politics
Key Topic 5:
The Constitution
The nature of the UK Constitution
How the constitution has changed since 1997.
The role and powers of devolved bodies.
Key Topic 6:
The PM and Executive
The structure, role, and powers of the Executive
The concept of ministerial responsibility
Key Topic 7:
Parliament
The structure and role of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
Their comparative powers
The legislative process
Key Topic 8:
Relations between branches
The Supreme Court
The relationship between the Executive and Parliament
The aims, role and impact of the European Union
Key Topic 9: Liberalism
Liberalism: core ideas and principles
Differing views and tensions within liberalism
Liberal thinkers and their ideas.
Assessment
Bridging Work
Weekly - fortnightly section A and B 30 mark and 24 mark exam essay questions
Consolidation questions on key content at the end of every in lesson.
Weekly evaluate section A and B 30 mark and 24 mark exam essay questions
Weekly evaluate section A and B 30 mark and 24 mark exam essay questions
Mocks
Weekly evaluate - section A and B 30 mark and 24 mark exam essay questions

4. Curriculum Overview Key Stage: 5 Subject: Politics
Academic Year:
Year
Unit content
Autumn 1
Autumn 2
Spring 1
Spring1
Summer 1
Summer 2
Year 13
Paper 1: Ideologies
Paper 2: Ideologies
Paper 3: Government and Politics USA
Key Topic 1: US Constitution
The nature of the US Constitution
The US Constitution and federalism
Key Topic 2: Conservatism
Core ideas and principles
Differing views and tensions Conservative thinkers
Key Topic 3:
US Congress
The structure and functions of Congress.
Interpretations and debates around Congress.
Key Topic 4:
US presidency
presidential power
Relationships between institution
Interpretations and debates around the Presidency .
Key Topic 5:
Socialism
Liberalism: core ideas and principles
Differing views and tensions within liberalism
Liberal thinkers and their ideas.
Key Topic 6:
US Supreme Court and US civil rights
The nature and role of the Supreme Court, public policy and the appointment process.
The protection of civil liberties and rights in the US today.
Key Topic 7:
Non-core political idea
Differing views and tensions
Key thinkers and ideas
Key Topic 8:
US democracy and participation
Electoral systems in the USA.
Politics parties and pressure groups
The key ideas and principles of the Democratic and Republican
parties.
Interest groups in the USA
Interpretations and debates of US democracy and participation
Revision
Assessment
Bridging Work
Weekly - section A,B and C 12 mark assess and 30 mark exam evaluate essay questions
Consolidation questions on key content at the end of every in lesson
Mocks
Paper 1: UK Politics
Paper 2: UK Government