Lead in to Law

The programme

Lead in to Law is a two year development programme for Year 12 and 13 students interested in a legal career in a commercial law firm. It is run in partnership with diversity specialists Rare.

The programme is focused on increasing access to the legal profession for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. It offers places to 20 students each year, providing them with one-to-one university application support, mentoring and work insight opportunities at Slaughter and May.

The programme is free to students and includes:

• a launch event in February at Slaughter and May at their London office;
• a one-to-one personal development meeting with the Rare team to set university application goals;
• a chance to hear from current students at top tier universities;
• personalised support from the Rare team with UCAS preparation and personal statement writing;
• two work insight programmes at Slaughter and May, one in August and one in October;
• a Year 13 revision tips session at Slaughter and May;
• a summer networking and university preparation event at the end of the programme;
• the option to be matched with a Slaughter and May mentor at the end of the programme to support students in their transition to university; and
• a clothing allowance to support visits to Slaughter and May.

The cost of travelling to and from the Slaughter and May office is covered throughout the programme. Lunch will also be provided for all aspects of the programme hosted at Slaughter and May.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for the programme, students must:

• be in Year 12 at a UK state school, and have always attended a state-funded, non-fee-paying school or college;
• be based in London or Greater London, or within a reasonable commute from the Slaughter and May office in Moorgate;
• be eligible for free school meals between the ages of 11 and 16 (i.e. pupil premium);
OR
• grew up in a household where no parent/guardian had attended university;
OR
• have experience of another form of social disadvantage (e.g. in local authority care, refugee, young carer);
OR
• The occupation of your main household earner is categorised as a routine or manual occupation. A summary of this can be found here.
OR
• have experience of some form of academic disadvantage (e.g. attending a low performing school).
• have achieved at least 5 GCSEs at grades 6 – 9.