This article was produced by Olswang LLP, which joined with CMS on 1 May 2017.
Over the school summer break, we were delighted to welcome students from Haverstock School for the third year of the Legal Social Mobility Partnership (LSMP) work insight and skills programme. The LSMP is a collaboration of law firms, client in-house legal teams, professional sports teams and commercial partners across London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.
The aim of The LSMP is to broaden access to the legal profession by delivering a work insight and skills programme and ongoing coaching to secondary state school students who would not otherwise have access to the legal world.
During their week at Olswang, Haverstock School students gained insight into the range of careers available in a law firm and the opportunity to develop key employability skills. They attended workshops, presentations and spent time shadowing different legal and business services departments, assisting them with their work.
During their second week, they joined students from schools across London for a week of intensive skills training coupled with work insights from four different in-house teams at Microsoft, Yahoo, Viacom International Media Networks and ITV. The students also spent a day at Harlequins Rugby Club to learn the key to resilience and achieving goals.
Following their experience students are encouraged to join the LSMP Alumni offering, which provides them with access to virtual coaching through a LinkedIn Group and hands on support at University through a unique tie up with Aspiring Solicitors.
One former LSMP student, Angelica from Kingsway College, said: "I used the experience in my personal statement and it has helped me get all my offers at University. I’m working really hard now to get the grades I need – the course has made me believe in myself and I feel so much more ambitious and confident."
Olswang have been involved in the LSMP since its launch and partner with clients ITV, Microsoft and Amazon.
You can find more information on the LSMP here.
