Sixth-form law scheme shortlisted for award

A School of Law programme for state school sixth-form students has been shortlisted for a Law Society Excellence award.

The innovative Pathways to Law scheme is one of five potential winners in the ‘Excellence in Equality and Diversity’ category in The Law Society Excellence Awards 2010.

The awards, now in their fourth year, celebrate the outstanding achievements of the legal profession.  

Pathways to Law is a widening participation initiative that provides opportunities for students from state schools in England that are interested in a career in law and will be first generation attendees at university.

Established by The College of Law and The Sutton Trust, the programme provides support throughout years 12 and 13 and beyond to university.

Our School of Law runs a Pathways to Law scheme for Leeds and the surrounding area, and delivers a programme of lectures, seminars, advice and guidance sessions, mentoring and e-mentoring to potential law students from under-represented backgrounds.

The Pathways to Law programme at the University is supported by many of the city's law firms, including all the big international law firms which offer tailor made work placements to all the Pathways students.

Destinations so far have proven the worth of the programme with successful applications to Oxbridge, Durham, UCL, Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool, York and Leeds.

One Pathways alumni has said: "Pathways gives you advice and assistance with everything from degree applications to providing rare placement opportunities.  A career in law now seems a markedly less daunting prospect."