5 in Mathematics required
6 in English Language required
6 in History or Geography required
6 in English Literature required if History or Geography not taken at GCSE
Why politics?
Just 62 people own half of the world’s wealth and 71% of the world’s population lives on less than $10 a day. Although the Conservatives lost seats in the 2017 election and formed a minority government, they received their highest share of the total vote since 1983. Watch the news and the world seems to be endlessly war-torn, but the facts show it is more peaceful now than at any time since 1945. It is sometimes hard to make sense of what we see around us.
The study of politics is about making sense of and analysing Britain and the world. You’ll learn to form political judgments and establish a broad set of analytical skills that universities and employers value highly. Many of our former students pursue an active role in British and international politics, going on to study the subject at university and working in journalism, law, think-tanks, universities, charities, international institutions and national government. Our politics department hosts a Model United Nations Conference at the college, inviting over 200 sixth formers to a weekend of stimulating debate. We also invite speakers from parliament on a regular basis.
Course content
You’ll study British government and politics, including the workings of parliament, the role of the prime minister, political parties and their policies, and how patterns of participation have changed in recent years. You’ll also study the key political ideologies of conservatism, liberalism and socialism.
You’ll also focus on themes of global politics, such as the rise of China, the ‘decline’ of America and the challenges of globalisation, terrorism, population migration and climate change; we also study how the world is ordered, the rise of multipolarity, poverty and debt, and the role of international organisations and non-state actors.
Mark scheme
Exam - 2 hours - 33.3%
UK politics and political ideas
Exam - 2 hours - 33.3%
UK government
Exam - 2 hours - 33.3%
Global politics
Please click on the headings below.
What type of person studies politics?
We do not require you to have prior political knowledge. We want you, however, to have an interest in politics. Try watching BBC Question Time on the iPlayer and ask yourself “did I find that interesting?”. If so then politics may be the subject for you.
Is politics all about debating?
Well certainly we debate a lot in lessons. But politics is an essay based subject and you will be expected to write essays in the final exams.
There are three papers to sit after two years, all two hours long.
How do you keep up with what’s going on?!
Politics teachers at Woodhouse follow closely current events. Our method is to teach the subject with rich contemporary examples. We expect our students to also follow events.
How many people study politics?
We are an oversubscribed subject. We have nine classes in the two years. The Woodhouse politics department is one of the largest departments in London.
Do you have any trips?
Yes we do, vaccines permitting. We regularly visit parliament and in the second year we go to Brussels where we visit NATO headquarters and the European Parliament (they still like us).
Will politics make me happy?
No. But it will make you well informed. Sometimes it will make you angry.
What can I do with politics?
Lot’s of our students go onto study Politics or International Relations at university. Many of our students study law after college, journalism or join the civil service.