Politics at Trent College
The Politics department at Trent College is incredibly active, teaching an in-depth and vibrant A level programme, providing inspiring clubs and societies to complement the course content, and engaging the wider school in competitions and challenges that encourage pupils to think about national issues and political change.
Enhancing A level study
To complement the A Level programme, students studying Politics had the opportunity to visit the heart of political power in the United Kingdom, Westminster.
Students were treated to a guided tour of the UK Supreme Court, where they learnt about the history and workings of the court. They were invited to sit in the chairs where the Supreme Court Justices deliver their judgements in some of the UK’s most notable cases and understand more about the decisions made that affect everyday life in the UK.
The group also enjoyed a guided tour of UK Parliament, visiting the Monarch’s robing-room, walking on the floor of the House of Lords Chamber and even observing a debate from the House of Commons public gallery, where Defence Secretary, John Healy, spoke on British support for Ukraine. Pupil’s highlights of the visit include spotting notable MPs such as Sir Ed Davey, Suella Braverman, James Cleverly and Sir Gavin Williamson.
Students enjoyed a visit to the UK Parliament Education Service where they engaged in a game of ‘True or False’ and had the opportunity to create their own political parties and a manifesto, before presenting to Erewash MP, Dr Adam Thompson, who took questions on his reflections of being a newly elected-MP.
To close a memorable and enriching visit, students visited the gates of Downing Street to look down the infamous street where politicians and international leaders come and go, before visiting the Department for Transport and learning about the role of the Civil Service and routes into it.
This visit is a part of a two-year rotation, where students also visit the University of Hull A level Politics conference, experiencing university lectures and seminars, whilst also getting to choose sessions on topics that interest them.
Politics Club
Each week there are both Senior and Junior Politics clubs which all pupils, not just those currently studying the subject, are invited to attend as part of the Co-Curricular experience.
The Clubs have recently been examining how the US elections work, the key issues affecting the race, the different policies between the candidates and also predicting and discussing the possible outcomes.
In future meetings, members of the Politics Club will have the opportunity to meet with Dr Adam Thompson, MP for Erewash where they will have the opportunity to put questions to him about the role of an MP, discover how life has changed since he became one, the policies of the Labour Party and how he plans to improve the Erewash constituency.
There will also be an exciting ‘Learn with the Lords’ online session where pupils will have the opportunity to question members of the House of Lords of its functions, role and future.
School wide Learning
Throughout the year the Politics department hold annual competitions for the Lower School, Main School and Sixth Form including:
- ‘The Prime Minister’s priorities should be …’ where pupils consider what they believe the Prime Minister’s three priorities should be
- ‘This should be a law’ the opportunity to draft a bill which pupils think should be law and justify why it is needed
- ‘Create a Political Party and Manifesto’
- ‘Special Advisor Challenge’ where pupils are presented with a range of problems and a number of solutions for each, asking them to select a solution for the problem and justify the decision
To further the experience and depth of knowledge within the subject, the Politics department fully support and encourage pupils to gain work experience in the offices of local politicians. Along with participation in remote sessions with the UK Supreme Court, ‘Ask a Justice’ programme and the House of Lords, ‘Learn with Lords’ each year.
Discover our Sixth Form
To learn more about Politics and the varied curriculum on offer, families looking at A Level options are invited to join us for an evening of discovery into the A Level and BTEC choices available at Trent College, Year 12 Information Evening – Trent College. The event will provide an insight into the breadth of opportunities available across the curriculum through informative presentations, guided tours and time to meet with each of the Head of Departments.