JNP Legal Inspires Students at Lewis Girls’ School

JNP Legal was delighted to visit Lewis Girls' School in Ystrad Mynach last month.

Representing the firm were Abbie James and Natasha Bolton, both of whom shared their unique insights into pursuing a career in law and combining education with hands-on experience.

This visit was particularly special for Natasha Bolton, a Legal Apprentice in JNP Legal’s Civil Litigation department, as she is a former student of Lewis Girls' School herself. Natasha is now part of the innovative Network75 scheme, which allows her to study for her LLB Legal Practice degree at the University of South Wales while gaining invaluable experience at JNP Legal.

Abbie James, a Paralegal in JNP Legal’s Civil Litigation department, is also balancing her role with studying the Legal Practice Course at the University of South Wales.

What is Network75?

Network75 offers undergraduates a blended work-study approach, allowing them to apply academic knowledge to real-world legal settings. During term time, students work with their host company three days a week and attend university for the remaining two. In holiday periods, they work full-time with their host firm, benefiting from holiday allowances and study leave. This unique route offers a practical alternative to traditional university study. It also ensures that students are not burdened with the debt that many typically incur during their studies.

Engaging with Future Legal Professionals

During the visit, Abbie and Natasha spoke with Year 13 students about their options post-school, including the apprenticeship route versus full-time university. Discussions covered topics such as:

• The benefits of gaining work experience alongside academic studies
• Balancing work, study, and personal commitments
• Routes to legal qualification, including apprenticeships, university, and vacation schemes.

One student expressed particular interest in the Network75 apprenticeship after learning about the advantages it offers, including practical experience and financial support compared to traditional university pathways.

Abbie and Natasha also shared insights into their own journeys, the challenges and rewards of pursuing law, and the opportunities available. For students considering careers outside of traditional law, the team discussed how skills gained through apprenticeships can open doors in related sectors like politics and criminology.

A Memorable Visit

Although the visit coincided with the busy UCAS application period, JNP Legal was thrilled to provide guidance to the final cohort of Year 13 students from Lewis Girls' School before it merges with Lewis Boys’ School in Pengam.

Special thanks to Mr. Szura, Associate Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form, for facilitating the visit. He commented on the visit,

"Here at Lewis Girls' School, we are firm believers in providing students access to all forms of post-18 provision, to allow them to make the best decision for them."

Mr. Szura further explained,

"We firmly believe that whilst university degrees offer a great experience for the majority, for some individuals and certain career paths, the blend of degree and work experience can be a better fit. With that in mind, we are strong supporters of Network75 and their programme, as it gives students the chance to earn their degree, whilst building their work experience at the same time, with the hope of a job at the end.

We have supported USW and Network75 since its inception, and regularly build in talks to both Year 12 and 13 throughout the academic year. We also encourage an alumni program, where ex-students come in to talk about their experiences. Recently, I invited an ex-student, Natasha Bolton, who is in the fourth year of the programme. She spoke to a small number of students that had an interest in Network75 and could give them a real insight into what it offers, and a first-hand experience of her own path. The feedback from my students was amazing; she gave such a good insight, and they were able to ask questions that they felt relevant, and it certainly positively impacted their thoughts on whether to apply."

Natasha Bolton commented,

"I felt honoured to be invited back to Lewis Girls’ School to share my experience of Network75. I am very fortunate to have not only been accepted onto the Network75 scheme but also to have been placed in a company like JNP Legal. The support they have provided both at work and for my university studies has been invaluable, and I have felt more confident in my studies as a result of the skills I have developed since I first began working at JNP Legal in 2021."

At JNP Legal, we’re committed to supporting the next generation of legal professionals and empowering students to make informed decisions about their futures. If you are interested in a career at JNP Legal, please contact us by sending an email to hr@jnplegal.org .