Leading social mobility charity the Sutton Trust, founded by Sir Peter Lampl, has announced a £1m expansion of Pathways to Law, its flagship programme to improve access to the legal profession.
Programmes
The programme has supported students in years 12 and 13 since 2006 but for the first time it will be widened to benefit younger pupils in years 10 and 11.
Social mobility
The announcement follows research by the Sutton Trust which found that 75% of senior judges and QCs had attended an independent school.
Pathways to Law is aimed at ‘academically able’ state school pupils from non-privileged homes.
The programme is funded by the Legal Education Foundation, whose chief executive Matthew Smerdon said: “By reaching students at an earlier stage, we hope to encourage more bright young people from poorer homes [to recognise] that a career in law is open to them.”
The Law Society, Allen & Overy, Ashurst, Clifford Chance, Cooley, DLA Piper, Eversheds, Hogan Lovells, Linklaters and Macfarlanes also help fund the programme.
Access
The programme will be run by 12 ‘partner’ universities which includes four new institutions: University of Roehampton, Queen Mary University of London, the University of Leicester and the University of Liverpool.
Sir Peter Lampl said: “Greater access to a wider pool of diverse talent will deliver real benefits for employers and employees alike.”
1,800 students will be supported during the four-year programme which includes help with applying for training contracts, writing CVs and interview techniques as well as opportunities for work experience.
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