What is it?
Law is an exciting subject that provides an understanding of the rules and people that govern our lives. We explore interesting and challenging topics such as criminal law, negligence and morality.
Why study this subject at Blackpool Sixth?
Our enthusiastic team have a track record of outstanding results. Law is excellent preparation for studying any academic course at university and we have many ex-students who are successful legal practitioners. As a law student, there are multiple enrichment opportunities (subject to availability each year). We often run a trip to London, to visit the Houses of Parliament and the Supreme Court, and we have had speakers come and talk to our students about their work as lawyers and a visit to the local courts.
What skills will I develop?
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Critical analysis and evaluation
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Extended essay writing
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Independent research
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Manipulation of language
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Structuring coherent and persuasive arguments
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Supporting claims by referencing academic authority
How will I be taught?
Lessons will incorporate a variety of teaching and learning methods, including research tasks, debates, presentations, group work and practising past paper questions in timed conditions.
How will I be assessed?
There are three exams at the end of the two years. Each exam is two hours long and is worth 1/3 of the overall grade.
Teacher expertise
Our law teachers all have extensive experience in teaching A Level Law, as well as experience teaching modules of law on degree level courses in criminology, accounting, business and financial management. We also have an OCR Law examiner on our team.
Field trips, projects and employability opportunities
Enrichment activities will vary each year, due to availability. Students in previous years have had the opportunity to sign up for a trip to London to visit Parliament and the Supreme Court. Our guest speakers have included practicing barristers, solicitors, magistrates and university lecturers.
Where does it lead?
A Level Law is excellent preparation for university study. Many of our students enrol on law degrees, or other academic courses, such as history, politics, or criminology. Law affects every aspect of our lives, so having a good understanding of how it works is beneficial in almost any profession, including police and armed forces, teaching, journalism or social care.
Equipment
Students may wish to purchase textbooks for this course, though it is not essential, as master notes will be provided for all elements of the course. For any students who prefer working from textbooks, there are two textbooks endorsed by OCR that, together, cover the A Level Law course.
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OCR AS/A Level Law Book 1, by Jacqueline Martin and Nicholas Price
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OCR A Level Law Book 2, by Jacqueline Martin, Nicholas Price and Richard Wortley
Examination board
OCR.
What will I study?
The Legal System
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You will learn about the courts, hierarchy and appeal routes, as well as the people involved within the legal system (including solicitors, barristers, legal executives, judges, juries and magistrates). Learn about the allocation of legal aid for criminal and civil cases and the fundamental issues within the system that are preventing access to justice.
Criminal Law
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Develop an understanding of the key elements of criminal liability, as well as covering a variety of offences, from assault and battery, to murder and manslaughter. You will also explore offences against property, including theft, robbery and burglary. Want to know how to get away with murder (or any other offence for that matter)? Then pay close attention to the defences that might be available at trial (e.g. self-defence, insanity, duress, intoxication… to name but a few!).
Law Making
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Find out how different types of laws are made, from Acts of Parliament to judge-made common law. You will also find out how local authorities can make certain types of law, including why our Blackpool donkeys on the beach must have Fridays off work!
The Law of Torts
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Ever thought about suing someone, or whether you would have a successful claim? We cover a number of torts (civil ‘wrongs’), including negligence, occupiers’ liability and nuisance. You will also learn about when an employer can be held vicariously liable for the torts committed by their employees.
The Nature of Law
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Take a look at the law from a philosophical angle, whilst you explore the links between law and morality, justice and society. You will also be able to take a glimpse at the future of law and the legal profession within the ‘law and technology’ module. Find out what threats are posed by artificial intelligence, including drones and driverless cars. The law will need to adapt quickly to decide on issues of liability with these rapidly advancing technologies.
Contract Law
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Discover the essential element to make a contract legally binding and what course of action would be available for a breach of contract. We will also consider acts that can undermine the integrity of a contract, making it void, or voidable, and even what happens when a contract becomes impossible to perform.
Entry Requirements
- Grade 4 in GCSE English Language however a grade 5 is preferred. A grade 5 in another essay-based subject is also recommended e.g. English literature or history.