Pupils have the Law Factor

28 November 2011

The Law Factor programme, a mentoring scheme run by LJMU and DWF solicitors designed to educate local school pupils about a career in the legal industry, continues to go from strength to strength.

The Law Factor programme initially started in 2009 after DWF approached Aimhigher Greater Merseyside but when Aimhigher funding ended in July 2011, LJMU began supporting the scheme with DWF.

There are now 12 Year 10 pupils taking part in the programme who come from six different schools across Merseyside. They were selected after a rigorous application and interview process which involved delivering short presentations.

For the next two years they will continue to receive support from DWF, benefiting from regular mentor sessions which will involve a range of activities that aim to inform the pupils about careers in the legal sector, as well as improve their employability skills, such as presentation skills, team work and communication. 

20 DWF employees are involved in the programme and they are responsible for the content of each of the mentoring sessions, which run from 4.30pm to 7.00pm, once every two months. LJMU's Student Recruitment and Widening Access team is working with DWF, using their experience of school outreach activities to help the pupils produce exciting and engaging sessions.

The Student Recruitment and Widening Access team is also responsible for promoting the programme to schools to recruit more students and organises the transport for getting the students to and from each of the mentoring sessions.

Members of the original Law Factor group from 2009 were keen to remain part of the programme and so they will continue working with DWF and LJMU for the next two years until they reach the end of Year 13.

Paul Ireland, of LJMU's Student Recruitment and Widening Access team, said:

"The project with DWF is a key part of our new Access Agreement for 2012-13 which outlines that we will give students the opportunity to engage with employers from professional sectors and enable them to take part in a programme of targeted activity within that industry. This further supports LJMU's World of Work employability programme and builds on existing and strong relationships with both schools and employers."