Education Programme

This new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course will allow you to gain a genuinely novel and unparalleled insight into British politics. You will hear from leading MPs, former government Ministers, political editors of major British newspapers, Peers and pollsters talking about a diverse range of specification areas within the AQA and Edexcel A-Level Government and Politics courses.

This course will provide teachers with new, previously unseen and untapped material which can be used in the classroom to update schemes of work; hone exam answers and develop subject knowledge.

You will have the opportunity to talk to leading politicians, policy leaders and commentators within a small group setting. You will leave with updated knowledge and an unrivalled insight into British politics, which will enable you meet the needs of your most able students and ultimately increase A and A* grade attainment.

Naturally, speakers will look beyond the course to provide relevant information on how to prepare students for university study as well as a potential career in politics. The course is designed for teachers of both the Pearson Edexcel A-Level Politics (Unit 1 and Unit 2) and the relevant AQA units.

This programme is delivered by policy institute, Curia and Chamber UK, a leading publisher of policy insight.

• Detailed insight into all elements of British politics from leading figures within the field;
• Develop unrivalled subject knowledge by interacting with leading political practitioners;
• Update schemes of work with new and previously untapped knowledge from leading experts in British politics;
• Find out more ways to support highly able students to pursue politics at university level and as a career;
• All sessions are explicitly linked to the Edexcel and AQA Curriculums;
• Gain insight into a range of innovative political ideas and electronic resources to help advance your most able students.

10:30–11:15am
How Has Devolution Affected the UK’s Constitution – John Lamont MP

• Explore the impact of devolution on the UK’s constitution from a former Minister for Scotland.
• Discuss whether constitutional reform should be extended.
• Gain insights into where sovereignty lies in the UK.

11:15am–12:00pm
How Can Backbench MPs Scrutinise the Executive – Matthew Vickers MP

• Examine mechanisms available to backbench MPs and the opposition for holding the Executive to account.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of Bill Committees, Select Committees, and DL Committees.

12:00–12:45pm
Lunch

• Sandwich lunch and informal discussions with MPs and former MPs.

12:45–1:30pm
The Role of the Media in Politics – David Maddox, Political Editor, The Independent

• Analyse the media’s role in shaping political discourse and voter behaviour.
• Understand the interplay between print and social media.
• Learn how political parties engage with the media.

1:30–2:15pm
How the Lords Scrutinises the Executive

• Insights into the House of Lords’ role in Executive scrutiny.
• Understand how the Opposition Shadow Cabinet holds the Government to account.

2:15–2:30pm
Tea and Informal Discussion

2:30–3:15pm
Changing Voting Behaviour and the Power of Number 10 – Lord McInnes of Kinwinning

• Review how parties adapt to voter volatility.
• Insights into the power dynamics of the Prime Minister versus the Cabinet, informed by experience as an adviser to Boris Johnson.

How Has Devolution Affected the UK’s Constitution – John Lamont MP

• Edexcel Unit 2:
  • 1.2: How the Constitution has changed since 1997.
  • 1.3: The impact of Devolution in the UK.
  • 1.4: Debates on whether Constitutional reform should be extended.
  • 4.4: Where sovereignty can be said to lie in the UK.
• AQA:
  • 3.1.1.5: Devolution.
  • 3.1.1.2: The structure and role of Parliament.

How Can Backbench MPs Scrutinise the Executive – Matthew Vickers MP

• Edexcel Unit 2:
  • 2.3: The interaction between the Commons and the Lords during the legislative process.
  • 2.4: The role and significance of backbenchers in both Houses; the work of Select Committees; the role and significance of the Opposition and the purpose of Ministerial Question Time.
  • 4.2: The relationship between the Executive and Parliament.
• AQA:
  • 3.1.1.2: The structure and role of Parliament.

The Role of The Media in Politics – David Maddox (Political Editor, The Independent)

• Edexcel Unit 1:
  • 4.2: The assessment of the role and impact of the media on politics – both between and during general elections, including the importance and relevance of opinion polls, media bias, and persuasion.
• AQA:
  • 3.1.2.3: Relations with, and influence of, the Media in British politics.

How The Lords Scrutinises the Executive

• Edexcel Unit 2:
  • 2.3: The interaction between the Commons and the Lords during the legislative process.
  • 2.4: The role and significance of backbenchers in both Houses; the work of Select Committees; the role and significance of the Opposition and the purpose of Ministerial Question Time.
  • 4.2: The relationship between the Executive and Parliament.
• AQA:
  • 3.1.1.2: The structure and role of Parliament.

Changing Voting Behaviour and The Power of Number 10 Downing Street – Lord McInnes of Kinwinning

• Edexcel Unit 1:
  • 2.1: Debates on the consequences of the current party funding system.
  • 2.4: Various factors that affect Party success.
  • 3.3: The impact of different systems on party representation and voter choice.
  • 4.1: Case studies of General Elections and voter behaviour analysis.
• Edexcel Unit 2:
  • 3.3.1: The balance of power between the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
  • 3.3.2: The power of the Prime Minister to determine events and dictate policy.
• AQA:
  • 3.1.2.1: Democracy and participation.
  • 3.1.2.2: Patterns of voting behaviour over time.
  • 3.1.1.3: The Prime Minister and the Cabinet.