Have your say.
Gain the ability to clearly articulate your point of view and demonstrate the value of your opinion in controversial and complex issues. Debating not only improves skills in essay writing and public speaking but also impresses future employers and potential universities.
At CGA, you can join one of our many debating clubs or sign up to our student leadership programme as part of the sixth form enrichment offer.
In the know.
If you're interested in politics, get clued up and enhance your studies with our collection of some of the best politics resources out there at the moment:
Best political books:
Politics: Between The Extremes - Nick Clegg
All Out War: The Full Story of How Brexit Sank Britain’s Political Class - Tim Shipman
The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama
The Oxford Handbook of Political Ideologies - Michael Freeden and Marc Stears (A very tough start, but will be really useful for the new A Level specification.)
Best political websites:
https://uk.isidewith.com/political-quiz - Excellent quiz designed to work out your political position. Updated for 2017 Election.
http://www.politico.eu/ - Good range of articles – EU focused.
http://www.newstatesman.com/ - Left wing political magazine.
https://www.spectator.co.uk/ - Right wing political magazine.
Video clips:
Last Week Tonight - topical comedy clips: https://www.youtube.com/user/LastWeekTonight
Crash course - very informative intros, USA focussed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrk4oY7UxpQ&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtOfse2ncvffeelTrqvhrz8H
Quick insight or revision clips: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4nC0ZgZdZBo8tXbK_L7MFx_fuaGL96pb
Parliament clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMasyWuE1P2AaEKw_FkGq9g
RSA animate - a taste of A2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOP2V_np2c0
Topical articles:
Tutor2you: http://www.tutor2u.net/politics
A Level Politics - includes essays: http://alevelpolitics.com/
Politics Review: https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/Magazines/Magazines-extras/Politics-Review-extras
Forum with other politics students, sharing resources etc: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=276
Best documentaries:
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/category/politics/ - all free to watch and it has pretty much every good one ever made.
The best ones for potential politics students to watch over summer are as follows:
- Taking Liberties 2007 - BAFTA nominated assessment of freedoms in the UK under Blair government.
- Power behind the Throne 2015 – A look at Royal power in UK today.
- The Empire’s Ship is Sinking 2015 – a look at America’s changing role in world.
Places to visit:
- The Public Gallery in the House of Commons: email edunit@parliament.uk or call 020 7219 2105 for tickets.
- The Supreme Court: https://www.supremecourt.uk/visiting/index.html
- Take a political tour of London: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/The-ultimate-political-tour-of-London/
