Our approach seeks to develop pupils as independent learners, who outside of instruction read newspapers and political journals, engage in wider debates and participate in politics.
It is not uncommon for A-Level students to return after the first Exeat to proudly announce how they were discussed current affairs around the dinner table for the first time. Politics is a subject that will inspire.
The Department run an annual trip to Westminster, visiting the Parliament to witness the House of Commons and House of Lords in action, followed by a question time session with our local MP who also visits the School on occasion.
In the last election we took pupils down to the hustings in Blandford to see Politics in action. Guest speakers including frequent visits by our MP provide valuable insight on political topics.
There are many avenues for our pupils to get involved in Politics outside of the classroom. We run a weekly discussion group where pupils are able to discuss and debate current affairs and wider political challenges.
The School has a thriving Model United Nations society, Year 12 (A3) pupils are offered a politics enrichment, this year focusing on US Government and Politics, with a view to understanding the Presidential election. There is a fortnightly BryRadio show where pupils and staff discuss the week’s news.
Politics thrives at Bryanston. It is consistently an in-demand A Level with around a quarter of students electing to study it in Sixth Form. The Department also has a growing footprint in the junior years, such as in Year 9 (D) PSRE.
At A Level we follow the Edexcel course, having opted to study Global and have chosen feminism as our non-core ideology.
Pupils study a range of topics including, but not limited to, the constitution, Parliament, Supreme Court, Devolution, pressure groups, electoral systems, voting behaviour, globalisation, regionalism, global governance, liberalism, socialism and conservatism.
The subject requires pupils to analyse and evaluate the workings of political systems, explaining the theories that drive policy and change and come to reasoned and persuasive judgements.
There is no requirement to have previously studied the subject, though an interest in current affairs certainly helps.
Studying Politics offers endless opportunities. After leaving Bryanston many of our pupils continue to study Politics and International Relations, as well as War Studies, Economics, History, Law and Philosophy at Russell Group universities and Oxbridge.
In recent years our Politics graduates have gone on to pursue careers in political parties, the civil service, lobbying, law, journalism and more, including contributing to successful political leadership campaigns and establishing influential think-tanks.
Our Politics department serve as mentors, guiding pupils through their political journey, encouraging independent thinking, and nurturing academic growth. Their expertise and commitment creates a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment that fosters an interest in politics and helps pupils to reach their full potential.
Jonny Waters brings a wealth of experience to Politics at Bryanston. Following his degree he had an initial career in the civil service, including writing legislation and after switching to education has now taught Politics for nearly a decade.
Jonny has a particular specialism in ideology and UK politics. He is keen for all pupils to leave Bryanston with a political education. He ran a mock election in the summer and the department regularly hold assemblies on current affairs.
The department is staffed by highly experienced and inspirational teachers. They have all taught at Bryanston for many years, with a deep understanding of its pupils and the Bryanston Method.
They have written for Politics Review magazine, and all have a keen eye on not just the news but also on pedagogical development, such that our lessons are consistently engaging, relevant and targeted at guiding all pupils to their success.
Our staff also have experience working in a range of industries prior to their careers in teaching including for political parties, working in public affairs, serving in the army with Bosnia’s UN Peacekeeping force and as an NGO humanitarian supervisor in Kosovo – truly politics at the sharp end!