The curriculum is structured to ensure that students develop a strong foundation in legal knowledge before progressing to more complex legal and philosophical concepts. In Year 12, students study the English Legal System, Criminal Law and Law Making. These units provide students with an understanding of how law is created, interpreted and enforced, whilst establishing the core legal principles that underpin future study.

In Year 13, students build upon this foundation through the study of Tort Law, Human Rights and Nature of Law. Students are encouraged to engage critically with legal issues and consider the relationship between law, morality, rights and justice. The curriculum culminates in Nature of Law, where students evaluate key legal theories and explore fundamental questions about the purpose and effectiveness of law within society.

Teaching combines explicit instruction, retrieval practice, discussion, debate, independent research and examination-focused activities. Students regularly engage with legislation, case law and contemporary legal issues, allowing them to understand legal principles in both theoretical and practical contexts.

Throughout the course, we model legal reasoning and evaluation, supporting students in developing the confidence to apply legal principles to unfamiliar scenarios, construct persuasive arguments and reach well-reasoned judgements. Knowledge and skills are continually revisited and developed throughout both years, ensuring students become increasingly confident, independent and sophisticated legal thinkers.

Curriculum Implementation: Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching is embedded throughout the curriculum, particularly within the Human Rights and Nature of Law units.

Students explore themes that lie at the heart of Catholic Social Teaching, including human dignity, justice, equality, solidarity, the common good and the protection of vulnerable members of society. Through the study of Human Rights, students examine how legal frameworks seek to protect fundamental freedoms and uphold the dignity of all individuals.

Nature of Law provides valuable opportunities for students to consider whether laws should reflect moral values and how justice can be achieved within society. Students are encouraged to reflect critically upon contemporary issues and consider the role of law in promoting fairness, compassion and social responsibility.

Curriculum Implementation: Supporting Students with SEND

We are committed to ensuring that every student can access and succeed within our curriculum.

Subject-specific vocabulary is taught explicitly and revisited regularly to support understanding of complex legal terminology. Teachers provide scaffolded resources, model answers, structured writing support and opportunities for guided practice where appropriate.

Complex legal concepts are broken down into manageable stages, enabling students to build confidence before applying their knowledge independently. Regular checks for understanding and targeted intervention ensure misconceptions are addressed promptly.

We work closely with the SEND department to ensure that individual student needs are understood and that appropriate strategies are implemented consistently, allowing students to make strong progress whilst maintaining high expectations for all learners.

Curriculum Implementation: Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of our curriculum and is used continuously to monitor progress, identify misconceptions and support student achievement.

Students complete regular retrieval activities, knowledge checks, examination-style questions, timed essays, problem-solving exercises, formal assessments and mock examinations throughout the course.

The subject is taught in a highly exam-focused manner, with explicit teaching of OCR assessment objectives and examination technique embedded within daily practice. Students are regularly exposed to high-quality model responses and receive detailed feedback which helps them refine their legal analysis, application and evaluation skills.

Assessment information is used to inform intervention and ensure that students are fully prepared for the demands of external examinations.

Curriculum Implementation: Extra-Curricular and Enrichment

We believe that enrichment opportunities play a crucial role in bringing the study of law to life and broadening students’ understanding of the legal profession.

Students participate in the University of Chichester Bar Mock Trial Competition, where they develop advocacy, public speaking, teamwork and legal reasoning skills through realistic courtroom experiences. We are particularly proud that our students won the competition in 2026, demonstrating both their legal knowledge and their ability to apply it effectively in practice.

Students also benefit from visits and presentations from legal professionals, including magistrates, solicitors and other practitioners, who provide valuable insight into careers in law and the operation of the justice system.

In addition, we provide guidance and support for LNAT preparation, helping students who wish to pursue Law at university to prepare for the next stage of their academic journey.

Curriculum Implementation: Literacy Through the Subject Curriculum

Literacy is fundamental to success in A Level Law and is explicitly developed throughout the curriculum.

Students are taught to read, interpret and analyse complex legal texts, including statutes, case law and academic commentary. Key legal terminology is introduced systematically and revisited frequently to develop confidence and precision in communication.

Through regular essays, problem questions and classroom discussion, students learn to construct logical, well-structured and evidence-based arguments. Opportunities for debate and advocacy further develop students’ speaking and listening skills, enabling them to articulate complex legal concepts with clarity and confidence.

The development of these literacy skills supports academic success whilst preparing students for higher education and future professional environments.