1. What is the curriculum rationale in Law?

Intent: purpose and values of Law

Law is the language society uses to define relationships, explain rights and obligations and regulate the way that we interact as individuals and a society. And studying law offers the opportunity to sharpen the mind, develop a range of skills and explore various aspects of human life.

Through the study of law students develop a firm grasp of legal concepts, frameworks and procedures which can help them to make sense of the nature, interpretation and application of law. And Applied Law aspires to develop students who have a firm interest in, and knowledge of, how justice is administered and applied throughout the English legal system.

Through their study of law, students acquire powerful knowledge of the law, as well as fundamental academic skills.

We teach students about concepts in criminal and civil law ensuring that they have an understanding of precedent and principles of common law as well as legislation. We also develop their understanding of legal roles, procedures and institutions which provides insight into how government works.

This declarative knowledge is supported by a range of procedural knowledge such as how to communicate concisely and with clarity, how to research and how to analyse and evaluate positions within law. As a study of ‘applied’ law the practical application of law is also developed with students guided to consider the implications of ‘law in action’.

2. What is the 'big picture' in Law?

The ‘big picture’ outlines how the Big Ideas and areas of knowledge of each subject fit together:

The Big Ideas that underpin the study of law are:

  • The English and EU legal systems
  • Substantive Law
  • Interpretation of Law

There are three key areas of knowledge which are necessary to become a subject expert in Sociology:

  1. Conceptual understanding: That our students build declarative knowledge (knowing that), in particular, of:
    • Key concepts in criminal and civil law e.g. homicide and negligence
    • Roles, procedures and institutions such as the courts
    • Legal terminology
  1. Procedural fluency: That our students build procedural knowledge (knowing how to) in particular of how to:
    • Apply the law to given scenarios
    • Analyse and evaluate statutory interpretation
    • Research
    • Substantiate
  2. Disciplinary knowledge:  That law involves distinctive ways of thinking so we want our students to start to understand the ways of thinking like a lawyer
  3. Language: that law involves a distinctive vocabulary so we want our students to learn the language and terminology in which the legal system is administered

3. What does knowledge look like in Law?

4. What do we teach and when?

5. What do we assess and when?

6. Where are the Law Knowledge Organisers?