Government and politics

 

A good understanding of politics is critical to understanding and interpreting current events and gaining a greater understanding of how society works. Students with lively and enquiring minds will relish the opportunity to explore new ideas and find out how abstract concepts and real institutions affect their daily lives, as well as understanding how they can make an impact on the world themselves.

Brussels is an excellent place to study Politics. Speakers who represent EU institutions frequently give talks and assist students with their coursework. Additionally, all Year 12 Politics students visit London to investigate the Houses of Commons and several government departments in Whitehall.

Curriculum

Senior students may choose to study Politics at A Level. AS Level Politics teaches students basic political concepts and ideologies, and introduces practical elements in the form of an investigation into the workings of the UK political system, supported by a Year 12 visit to London and Westminster.

Students in Year 13 go on to study a variety of conflicts in the post-World War II era, ranging from the Cold War to more recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Students are taught to think critically and debate issues of the day such as globalisation, the power of America across the globe, and the importance of the EU.

Enrichment activities

Over the two years of the course a series of trips are arranged for year 12 to Westminster and for Year 13 to EU and NATO. Every year a number of expert guest speakers are invited into school, including political corespondents from newspapers and the BBC, also officials from NATO, the EU, overseas embassies and MEPs.