[Danno44]

We are considering offering A Level Govt & Politics for the first time. We have no expereince of this qualification at all. I think we would have (initially) a small, high ability group of students who would be interested in taking it.

Having looked at the specs, it seems it would be a complimentary course for students doing History (we do British Political post 1945 as our option for Unit 2).

I was hoping the someone might be able to help me with a few questions...

1) Is it a much harder course that Edexcel History?
2) Are there any resources, textbooks, website that you can recommend?
3) Do students enjoy this course?
4) Is Edexcel the best board for this course?
5) Any other tips/advice you can offer

Thank you for any help you can offer me - I hope its ok that I post this on here (I know it not really about History!).

Dan

This post has been edited by Danno44: 09 July 2010 - 11:08 AM

[Anne Piper]

In answer to your questions:
1. I don't think it is, and neither do the students
2. Edexcel textbooks for AS are very good, and are all you probably need
3. Tutor2U is excellent for resources and sign up to FPTP (the online magazine) for up-to-date information
4. I am happy so far with Edexcel

Do it!

[Serrie Meakins]

Hi - we were in your position 3 years ago & I am delighted we went ahead with Gov & Pol. It definitely isnt harder than History although I think theres quite a jump from AS to A2 ... I teach in an independent girls school & find that the girls can learn the info needed for AS really quite easily leaving us plenty of time for discussion.. hence the students really enjoy it. In fact in the first year all bar 2 went on to A2 & of them 3 read politics at Uni; for the last 2 years all have gone to A2 & substantial numbers read it at uni - so satisfaction rating v high.
I quite agree about Tutor2u & FPTP, also subscribe to Politics Review & insist they read at least The Week every week! I use the Tutor2u quizes [or make my own] to check up on their current affairs knowledge! The best textbook in my opinion is McNaughton Gov & Pols for AS which he wrote for Edexcel. Hope that helps - if you need any resources I'd be happy to provide.
Serrie

[BarbaraH]

We've run politics for nearly 20 years now. I think the AQA course is politics for historians whereas OCR is more social science. Don't know the edexcel course. Overall I would say politics is about half a grade easier than history. At A2 we do ideology and US government to give kids a taste of the different kinds of politics. We were finding that those going on to politics at uni were bored by their first year when they had done two US modules at A2 because they had already done the work at school.
Philip Allan photocopiable resources are useful but not perfect. But they will give you a start. Also http://www.polity.co.uk/holmes/ is a very compehensive textbook.

[Danno44]

BarbaraH, on 10 July 2010 - 08:01 AM, said:

We've run politics for nearly 20 years now. I think the AQA course is politics for historians whereas OCR is more social science. Don't know the edexcel course. Overall I would say politics is about half a grade easier than history. At A2 we do ideology and US government to give kids a taste of the different kinds of politics. We were finding that those going on to politics at uni were bored by their first year when they had done two US modules at A2 because they had already done the work at school.
Philip Allan photocopiable resources are useful but not perfect. But they will give you a start. Also http://www.polity.co.uk/holmes/ is a very compehensive textbook.

Thank you all for your help with this, I think youve helped me to make my mind up and give it a go from Sept 2011 - thus giving us a year to get ready. Ive ordered all the resources you suggested and subscribed to the magazine.

I am pleased that you say that its easier than History. My biggest concern (teaching in a large comp) was that students would find it too hard and not do as well as they do in History (we get an ALPS score of 2, so if Politics is easier, we could get a grade 1!).

Thanks again for your help. I may be asking for some more help as I look into setting up the course in the coming months.

Dan