Politics

Politics at Queen Elizabeth's School is taught only in the Sixth Form and is an A Level course. Politics classes are relatively small.

The course is divided between studies of government in the UK and in the USA, with some attention also given to Britain's relationship with the European Union. We expect pupils to relate what they learn in class to the world around them, and in this sense the syllabus is always changing. Pupils are expected to read the quality press for reports on political events in both the UK and USA, including elections, comings-and-goings in government, important pieces of legislation and activities by parties and pressure groups.

We have embraced technology to change the way in which Politics is studied, although of course classroom discussions add an energy to the subject that technology can never bring. The internet provides excellent new opportunities, particularly in terms of keeping up-to-date on American politics. Other learning resources are also in place to enable independent study. PowerPoint presentations steer students through the various topics, and we make full use of a rich supply of materials from examiners and other teachers of Politics.

Whilst boys inevitably start with limited previous exposure to the topics covered in Politics, nonetheless a good number proceed each year to take university courses that feature political study. PPE at Oxford and SPS at Cambridge are often the chosen targets, but at least a handful each year continue with Politics or branch out into related courses such as law, philosophy or other social sciences.

Attendance at Sixth Form revision conferences is a regular feature of A Level Politics at QE. In addition, boys usually hear from a range of speakers, including the local MP and a local MEP. The School's Sixth Form debates invariably take on a political dimension. In some years, boys form an Amnesty International group, which meets to discuss human rights and offer support to victims of such abuse.

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