The Crypt School: Programme of Study for A Level Government & Politics, 2025-26 Floreat schola Cryptiensis: “to flourish “ Our vision is to transform interested students into knowledgeable and informed political scientists. We aim to develop in our students the political knowledge of both UK and US Government and Politics which they will then be able to critically apply to address the key political issues of the day in a balanced and informed manner. Through wider reading and research, and through their engagement with political issues and ideas, as well as with the main political ideologies, our students will develop into politically literate and engaged young adults.
Teachers: JH, MH, CH & NCD 4Our vision is to transform interested students into knowledgeable and informed political sc44ientists. We aim to develop in our students the political knowledge of both UK and US Government and Politics which they will then be able to critically apply to address the key political issues of the day in a balanced and informed manner. Through wider reading and research, and through their engagement with political issues and ideas, as well as with the main political ideologies, our students will develop into politically literate and engaged young adults. ● ● ● ●
Create politically literate and engaged young adults Critically tackle current political issues Develop critical thinking through wider reading & research Our vision is to transform interested students into knowledgeable and informed political scientists. Autumn 1 (8)
Year 12 Module UK GOV 1: The UK Constitution Content: Nature & sources of the UK Constitution, Constitutional change since 1997, impact of devolution, debates on further reform.
Module UK POL 1: Democracy & Participation Content: Current systems of representative democracy and direct Democracy; The features, similarities and differences. Advantages and disadvantages and the consideration of the case for reform. A wider franchise and debates over suffrage; Key milestones in the widening of the franchise in relation to class, gender, ethnicity and age. The work of the suffragists/suffragettes to extend the franchise.
Autumn 2 (7)
Spring 1 (6)
Spring 2 (6)
Summer 1 (5)
Start Module UK GOV 2: UK Parliament Content: Structure & role of the House of Commons & House of Lords, comparative powers, legislative process, Parliament-Executive interaction
Start Module UK GOV 3: Prime Minister & the Executive Content: The structure, role, and powers of the Executive; Its structure, including PM, the Cabinet, junior ministers and government departments. Its main roles, including proposing legislation, proposing a budget, making policy decisions within laws and budget. The main powers of the Executive, including Royal Prerogative powers, initiation of legislation and secondary legislative power. The concept of ministerial responsibility; individual and collective ministerial responsibility.
Start Module UK GOV 4: Relations between branches Content: Supreme Court, Executive-Parliament relationship, influence of EU on UK Government, location of sovereignty.
Finish off Relations between branches
Start Module UK POL 2: Political parties Content: Political Parties; The functions and features of political parties in the UK’s representative democracy. Party funding and debates on current system. Established Political Parties; The origins and historical development of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat Party’s. Current policy on the economy, law and order, welfare and foreign affairs. Emerging and minor UK political parties; Importance and case study of three minor parties.
Start Module UK POL 3: Electoral Systems Content: Functions of an electoral system, Workings of FPTP, Different electoral systems, referendums & how they are used, electoral system analysis
Summer 2 (6)
Start Political Ideologies module: Liberalism Content: Core ideas & principles (individualism, freedom, state, rationalism, Start Module UK POL 4: equality, liberal democracy); Voting Behaviour & the media differing views & tensions Content: Demographic factors within socialism (classical, influencing voting behaviour, modern); Key thinkers (John non-demographic Locke, Mary Wollstonecraft, explanations for voting John Stuart Mill, John Rawls, behaviour, Case studies of 3 Betty Friedan) key general elections, influence of the media Finish Voting Behaviour & the Media
End Points UK: 1: an understanding of the emergence and development of the UK’s democratic system and the similarities, differences, connections and parallels between direct and indirect democracy. 2.) a critical evaluation of role of the individual in the political process and their relationship with the state and their fellow citizens. 3.) a fundamental understanding of the nature of law making and UK constitution, assessing where, how and by whom political decisions are made with further comparisons with other political systems. 4.) Exploring the main branches of Government, relationships and balance of power between them, with a consideration of where sovereignty now lies within this system. 5.) Understanding of the factors which influence voting behaviour and the viability of the electoral system they are voting in.