AS / A2 Law
WHY
TAKE LAW?
Do you want to learn your consumer rights? Do you want to know when
you can make a citizen’s arrest? Do you want to know how to sue
somebody?
Law
is a fresh, informative and well respected A level which appeals to
a wide variety of students. It is relevant to everyday life, and will
prepare you well for work or progression to university.
WHAT
ARE THE KEY AREAS OF STUDY?
The AS course is an introduction to the English legal system. Key topics
include magistrates, solicitors, barristers, police powers, sentencing,
bail and European law.
The
A2 course builds upon knowledge acquired at AS and is spent learning
the criminal law of our country. This is taught by the “case method”
as used by many universities, and requires students to learn how our
laws have been shaped by individual legal cases.
Offences
to be learnt at A2 include murder, manslaughter, theft, and robbery,
whilst defences include insanity, self defence, and intoxication.
WHAT
SKILLS WILL I NEED AND DEVELOP?
Essay writing is a key to exam success and the skills of analysis and
evaluation need to be developed. The exams also require problem solving,
and many mini case studies need to be solved. Lessons also involve a
wide range of further skills including debating, and team working. Learning
is very active with a questioning mind essential.
ARE
THERE ANY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS I NEED?
You do not need any specific GCSEs to join this course.
HOW
WILL I BE ASSESSED?
Both years are currently assessed 100% by external examinations, with
no formal coursework component. Exams are modular with one being taken
each January and one each summer. The exams are all a mixture of essays,
and problem questions.
PRIESTLEY
EXTRA
You will enjoy guest visits from local magistrates, and have
the opportunity to compete in a law department mock trial competition.
There is also the opportunity to join a pre law group for second years
who are hoping to progress to a law degree. Priestley students have
won the Warrington Mock Trial Competition for the last two years.

STUDENT IN PROFILE - RACHEL CORROBOY
Former High School - Cardinal Newman
Rachel
selected Law as a new course to her and one that would complement her
other subjects. She also took part in the Pre Law Enrichment Programme,
and particularly impressed when taking on the role of a Lawyer in the
Warrington Mock Trial Competition. At the end of her studies she progressed
on to
Manchester University to study Law with the ultimate ambition of becoming
a Lawyer.

STUDENT
IN PROFILE - KATIE WOODCOCK
Former High School - Abbey Gate College
Katie
became very interested in Criminal Law during the second year of her
A-Level course, and decided that she wanted to progress onto a Law degree.
Katie particularly enjoyed the topic of duress, and analysing key judicial
decisions. Studying Law at Priestley was ideal preparation for Katie
who went onto achieve a place at Leeds Metropolitan University to study
the subject further.
