Politics A Level

Applications Open - 21st November 2025

Closing Date for applications is Friday 13th February 2026.

Applications are still welcomed after the February closing date, and we will still try to ensure that each person's subject options are possible.

Entry Requirements - Please see our prospectus for grades needed

How to Apply -

ALL applications are to be made via KentChoices - if you do not have log in details, please speak to your school. If you are applying from outside of our area or an Independent school please email ccvioffice@ccgrammarschool.co.uk

**** IMPORTANT ****

Closing Date for applications is Friday 13th February 2026.

Applications are still welcomed after the February closing date, and we will still try to ensure that each person's subject options are possible.

What is the course about?

Year 12 focuses on British Government (national, local, devolved and EU), the British Constitution, voting behaviour, political participation, pressure groups, political parties, media and political concepts & ideologies. Political Ideologies will be taught in preparation for the Unit 3 Ideologies paper. The main focus of the 2nd part of the course is the Government and Politics of the USA and comparative government. Ideologies will then be revisited in more detail. Where possible, trips are arranged to a sixth form student politics conference, and the Houses of Parliament where students meet MPs. Most subjects fit well with Government & Politics but the subjects where there can be some curricular overlap include History, Sociology, Business Studies, Economics, Media Studies and Geography.

For whom is the course suitable?
The course aims to give students a grounding in, and understanding of, the working of both the British and American political systems together with an appreciation of traditional and more contemporary political ideologies. The course will appeal to students enthusiastic about politics and current affairs and who want to know more about how decisions are reached in government and the extent to which the electorate can influence these decisions. Students also learn about their rights and responsibilities as citizens and will develop a critical awareness of political events and issues in both the UK and the USA. Students should have good essay writing skills as they are the main means of assessment.

Teaching Methods and Homework commitment
Throughout the course students are taught each of the topics they are required to know using a range of methods. Students are encouraged to actively participate in class discussion through formal and informal debates. Political traditions are interrogated and challenged in an open and respectful manner. Students work independently and in close collaboration with the class teacher and each other. Extended reading and 'flipped learning' tasks and activities are built into the scheme of learning. Students receive homework tasks and reading each week and regularly complete summative assessments in line with all the examination requirements of each of the different types of questions they will be examined on.

What could I go on to do at the end of the course?

Many degree courses, apart from a degree in Politics itself, have strong politics content such as Sociology, Modern History, Law, Economics, International Relations, Geography, Public Administration, Business Studies, Social Work, Social Policy and Industrial Relations. Successful completion of A-level Government & Politics gives students a very good foundation to their degree courses and will be of great value for careers in law, journalism, local government, the civil service, social work, media, public relations, management and administration. It also serves as a useful grounding for those wanting to be involved in local politics, community affairs, trade unions and governing bodies of schools/hospitals/professional associations or simply for those who just want to have a greater understanding of the way decisions are made. Students of Politics have even followed an accountancy training route because of the analytical skills they have developed.

Method of Study and Assessment: 100% Examination

A Level Course

Unit 1 - Government and Politics of the UK

Written Paper – 2 hours 33.3% of A-level

Unit 2 – Government and Politics of the USA and Comparative Politics

Written Paper – 2 hours 33.3% of A-level

Unit 3 – Political Ideas

Written Paper – 2 hours 33.3% of A-level

Website URL: For more information please go to http://www.ccgrammarschool.co.uk

See Prospectus on school website for details