Disadvantaged students encourage to enter legal profession

Over 250 disadvantaged students from state schools around the country will be taking part in a motivational encouraging year 12 students to enter the legal profession.

The Pathways to Law event on 25 July at Warwick University will give young adults advice from industry experts on how best to achieve their ambitions within the legal profession.

The event aims to break the link between privilege in educational opportunities and family background, which has resulted (according to recent research) in 68 percent of UK-educated barristers and 75 percent of UK-educated judges being the product of fee-paying schools.

The research was carried out by The Sutton Trust, which will host the event in association with the global law firm, Norton Rose Fulbright. The attending students will hear insights from Carolann Edwards, an inspirational speaker and Global Director of Learning and Organisation Development at the firm.

In addition, the attending students will have the opportunity to find out more about themselves through personal profile assessments, offered by Thomas International, a leading global provider of people assessment tools. The Personal Profile Assessments (PPA) will provide a report detailing each student’s strengths, their limitations, their communication style, what motivates them and how they behave under pressure.

Commenting on the importance of the assessments within the industry, Carolann Edwards said: “PPA reports are hugely significant for those working in the law and anyone who is considering doing so. They reveal what elements of the work people may succeed in, or struggle with. Such knowledge and understanding is important when students are considering their career choices and the roles that they will be best suited to.

“The PPA assessments and subsequent reports from Thomas International will help those participating in Pathways to Law improve their self-awareness and provide validation that the law is something they can, and should, pursue. By highlighting their individual strengths and matching them to the competencies needed to work effectively in the law, we will not only boost their confidence, but also reduce any negative thoughts about a career in law not being right for them because of their background.”

Carolann Edwards will be joined at the event by world-record breaking Olympic athlete and motivational speaker, Derek Redmond, who will talk to the students about his own experiences, having used profile assessments to achieve great success in his sporting career. Derek is now the Group Performance Director for Thomas International and an advocate for the use of PPA within sport, business and education.

Speaking about the event, Derek said: “We are passionate about helping young people achieve their potential and the Pathways to Law event is no exception. All the students attending are so capable and bright, and we are proud to be involved in a programme that will give them the chance to fulfil their potential, regardless of their family background, school or where they live. By giving them insights into their strengths and limitations through the Thomas assessments, we are giving them the tools, and hopefully confidence, to move forward into a successful career in law.”

The event is part of a wider Pathways to Law programme that offers students in Key Stages 4 and 5 an opportunity to find out more about studying a Law degree, university life and to find out more about a career in the legal profession.

Speaking about the programme, Laura Bruce, Head of Programmes from The Sutton Trust, said: “Our research has highlighted how the alumni of private schools are overrepresented at the very top of the profession. But there are some areas of legal profession that are taking significant steps to redress the balance. It’s great that we can work with some of the biggest legal firms through our Pathways to Law programme. Together we support students to explore a range of careers in law and help them build the essential knowledge, skills and confidence they need to go on to higher education and the world of work.”