Politics

Politics is eternally dynamic and immeasurably important. We want our pupils to leave School with a sharp awareness of that reality.

To help with this, pupils are supported by expert teachers with a range of highly academic backgrounds, including a PhD in Politics, who have authored, and continue to author, articles and books on British and American Politics, contemporary legal developments and human rights law. As a result, pupils are provided with very detailed course notes containing up-to-date case studies. This enables them to engage with material that goes far beyond that provided by any available textbook. The teaching, which focuses on recent political phenomena, fosters a real love of learning in general and of the subject in particular, helping pupils succeed in their final A-Level exams. Pupils are actively encouraged to keep up to date with the recent political events occurring in the UK and USA and draw upon these contemporary examples in their essays and during class discussion. The department hosts an impressive speaker programme, inviting and hosting a range of MPs to talk to and answer questions from our A-Level Politics pupils. This provides our pupils with a unique insight into the workings of the British political system.

MGS is no place for closed minds; and we insist this maxim applies to the study of Politics.

Pupils are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, challenge opinions and offer their own in class. Outside of timetabled lessons, there is a weekly lunchtime seminar for pupils in Year 12, led by the Heads of the Politics and Economics departments, which focuses on analysing John Rawls’ ‘A Theory of Justice’ and using his theories to solve modern political and economic problems. Weekly lunchtime ‘University Challenge’ tutorials enable pupils to explore a range of high level academic literature and political philosophy. Pupils are encouraged to enter highly academic essay competitions including Trinity College Cambridge’s Butler prize and other external essay competitions set by Cambridge University, Northeastern University London and the John Locke Institute. Pupils are supported with their entries by the Head of Politics during the University Challenge tutorials.

The department offers twice weekly support sessions to all pupils, helping them further with any difficulties they may face relating to course content or exam technique.

In addition to Politics, the department hosts a weekly Law Society. Weekly support is also offered to pupils applying to read Law at university by a teacher with an LLB and an LLM in Human Rights Law.

There is an optional, biennial, trip to the USA, run jointly with the History department, which includes visits to New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

By the time they leave us, our pupils will have developed a range of highly transferable skills including the ability to analyse and evaluate information in a sophisticated and critical way. We also hope to have fostered within them a real love of learning and the satisfaction that comes with actually knowing how the political systems in the UK and USA work – something that some politicians cannot claim! Some pupils may even go on to positively shape and improve the political environment they have been learning about.