Staff:
P. Lincoln MA (Politics) BA Hons PGCE
C. Helm, BA (Hons) PGCE
Information for 6th Form students
Course available: AQA AS Level and Advanced Level Government and Politics
Course requirements:
No specific qualifications, although GCSE History would provide some useful background. In general, a sustained interest in current political matters and a desire to develop a more informed view are the only essential pre-requisites and the course is open to Sixth Formers of all academic disciplines. It should be noted that students embarking on the History course would benefit greatly from studying Politics at least to AS level.
The AS Level is comprised of 3 units all of which are studied in the Lower Sixth year.
They are:
Unit 1 - Electoral Systems and Voting Behaviour. This will be examined in
June and is worth 331/3% of the total AS marks and 162/3% of the total ‘A’ level
marks. The examination is 1 hour long.
Unit 2 - Parties and Pressure Groups. This will be examined in June and is
worth 331/3% of the total AS marks and 162/3% of the total ‘A’ Level
marks. The examination is 1 hour long.
Unit 3 - Features of a Representative Democracy. This will be examined in June
and is worth 331/3% of the total AS marks and 162/3% of the total ‘A’ Level
marks. The examination is 1 hour long.
In the Upper Sixth year the 3 units to be studied at A2 Level are:
Unit 4 - Comparative UK/USA Government. This will be examined in June and
is worth 15% of the total ‘A’ level marks.
Unit 7 - Ideas in Contemporary British Politics. This will be examined in June
and is worth 15% of the total ‘A’ level marks.
Unit 8 - Synoptic Module. This will draw upon all of the previously studied
units. It will be examined in June and is worth 20% of the total ‘A’ Level
marks.
General Comments:
Politics is a well-established and popular 'A' level subject at Abbey Gate College. Sixth Formers gaining high grades in recent years have gone on to study the subject as a degree course at many prestigious universities, including Glasgow, Newcastle, Exeter, Manchester, Bath and Edinburgh. Career opportunities for graduates are numerous and include Law, the Civil Service, Local Government, Journalism and Teaching.
The success rate on the 'A' level course in recent years has been excellent. Over the past 5 years there has been a 100% pass record with 70% of students obtaining Grades A-C. Students should have a real commitment to hard work and an interest in current affairs. They will be expected to read quality newspapers and to keep up with contemporary events through television and radio programmes.
A variety of teaching approaches are adopted. These include the use of videos, audio tapes, visiting speakers, the Internet, debates and questionnaires. There will be at least one trip annually to Parliament as well as visits to ‘A’ Level Politics Conferences.
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