Students from Barrow Sixth Form have been learning first-hand about a career in the legal profession.
The A level law students recently enjoyed visits from two guests who are leaders in their field and spoke to them at the Rating Lane campus.
They got to quiz Janie Berry who leads a team of more than 140 lawyers at Birmingham City Council as city solicitor and monitoring officer.
She told the students that no one in her family had practiced law but she had taken an apprenticeship with the local authority, working her way through to legal executive and successfully completing solicitor qualifications alongside practice as a busy advocate in court.
“Working in local government as a solicitor means you are part of a team, and get early experience of complex and interesting work,” she said.
The students also got to ask a retired senior barrister about a career at the Bar and to see the wig and gown worn at court.
A level student Charlie Beckwith said it had been an inspiring insight into the life and work of a legal professional. “It was really interesting to hear about the different aspects of their work. It gave a very positive perspective on government, politics and law,” he said.
A level student Isabella Simpson said both speakers had been really helpful in showing different paths into a law career. “I am more drawn to a career in law now, both speakers gave really good advice and support,” she said.
Head of Sixth Form Hilary Johns, who organised the speakers, said: “Law is one of the most popular subjects at sixth form and is a path to many degrees, including the legal profession. We were delighted to welcome such high calibre guests to sixth form and listen to their passion for their careers and we are also pleased to announce that we’ve appointed specialist law tutor Denise Brown to teach the subject from September.”