Why study A-Level Politics? (Year 11)

Post-16 choices shouldn't be made on syllabus details alone. This lesson plan will help you to show Year 11 students whether A-Level Politics or another post-16 route fits them best, drawing on the jobs it leads to and the skills it builds.

This lesson is designed to be delivered in 30 minutes as a teacher-led classroom activity.

Politics isn't taught at GCSE, so this lesson is best hosted in a History, English, or Religious Studies class - the subjects most likely to attract students drawn to Politics. The lesson assumes no Politics subject expertise from the host teacher.

This activity supports the following frameworks:

  • Gatsby Benchmark 4

This activity is suitable for Year 11 and features careers linked to the following subjects:

  • Politics

This is one of three lesson plans designed for Year 11 teachers introducing students to Politics:

These lesson plans will help you show students how Politics connects to their future careers - whether or not they go on to study it at A-Level.

We recommend using this lesson plan at the beginning of the spring term, as students approach their post-16 choices. It builds on the two earlier lesson plans and draws them together to help students make an informed decision.

A-Level Politics is one post-16 route among several - and because Politics isn't a GCSE, many students reach this point without having seriously considered it. This lesson plan helps them decide whether it's the right choice for them, or whether Politics fits their future better through another route.

Learning objectives

  • Students will understand what studying A-Level Politics involves.
  • Students will recognise how Politics fits different post-16 routes, not just A-Level.
  • Students will be able to say whether A-Level Politics is right for them and why.

Before the lesson

  • You will need a computer connected to the internet and a classroom screen.
  • Open the What can you do with Politics? page and have it ready on the screen.
  • Review the page in full so you know what's in each section.

During the lesson

1. Recap: jobs and skills (5 mins)

  • Ask students to recall what they discussed in the earlier Year 11 lessons:
    • What jobs use Politics?
    • What skills does Politics build, and where else do they build them?
  • Write their answers on the board as a quick recap.

2. Walking through the page (15 mins)

  • Bring up the What can you do with Politics? page on the classroom screen.
  • Show students the table of contents so they see the shape of what's on the page.
  • Walk through the key sections together, unpacking why each one matters for their post-16 decisions:
    • Politics at A-Level - What the course covers (UK politics, UK government, political ideas, and a global or comparative strand) and what kind of work it asks of you.
    • Subjects that pair with Politics - Which other A-Level choices work well alongside it, and which pairings suit different routes.
    • Where Politics can take you next - The routes into Politics-related careers, including degrees, apprenticeships, T-Levels, and direct entry.
  • If your school offers A-Level Politics, briefly outline the syllabus, exam board, and assessment methods.

3. Is A-Level Politics right for you? (10 mins)

  • Ask students to think about whether A-Level Politics fits their post-16 plan.
  • Prompt them with questions:
    • Do the skills Politics builds appeal to you - structured argument, source analysis, weighing competing claims?
    • Do the jobs Politics leads to interest you, and how are they reached?
    • Does A-Level Politics pair well with your other post-16 choices?
    • Would a different route work better - a non-Politics A-Level set, a T-Level, an apprenticeship, or direct entry into a Politics-adjacent career?
  • Close by reminding students that the best post-16 choice is the one they'll engage with - whether that's A-Level Politics, a different A-Level mix, a T-Level, an apprenticeship, or going straight into work. Interest and effort are what lead to good results, and good results open doors.

After the lesson

  • Share the What can you do with Politics? page with students and their parents/carers:
    • www.coffeewith.xyz/subjects/what-can-you-do-with-politics
  • Encourage parents/carers to explore the page with their child and to discuss the contents.
  • Encourage parents/carers to also explore related videos and careers with their child.
  • Use the School Tools / Activities feature to record the lesson activity:
    • Activity name: Year 11 - Why study A-Level Politics?
    • Activity type: Linking curriculum learning to careers