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On Thursday 12 March, Westminster City School welcomed back former student Stephen, who returned to speak with students involved in the school’s Pathways to Law Programme.

Stephen joined Westminster City School in Year 7 in 2015 and continued his education through to the Sixth Form, leaving in 2022 to study Law at the University of Oxford. He has recently secured a training contract with Clifford Chance, ‘one of the largest international law firms', where he will begin his career as a future trainee solicitor.

During the session, Stephen shared his journey into the legal profession and spoke honestly about how his interest in law first started. He encouraged students to develop curiosity and to deepen their knowledge outside the classroom by reading widely and exploring free online lectures, including university masterclasses and legal lectures available online, including Stanford Law lectures.

Speaking about his time at Westminster City School, Stephen emphasised to students that the opportunities and support he received during Sixth Form gave him a strong foundation for his application to Oxford University.

A key part of his talk focused on resilience and perseverance where he explained that before securing his training contract, he faced two years of rejection from various law firms while seeking work experience and opportunities. However, he used these setbacks as motivation to improve and continue striving towards his goals rather than being discouraged.

He said:

“I always remembered my ‘why’, the reason I wanted to have a career in law. That helped me to stay resilient through all the rejections I received and keep pushing forward. It was simply an opportunity to reflect, reset and work out what needed to be improved.

“Prove to law firms that you are eager to work there. Be inquisitive, learn about the different types of law, ask questions and talk to people. Be resilient. Always understand your own ‘why’, because things will get tough and you will face challenges along the way.”

Stephen also helped our aspiring lawyers to understand the difference between studying law academically and pursuing a career in the legal profession, offering practical understanding of what working in the industry involves.

His visit provided an inspiring opportunity for aspiring lawyers to hear directly from a Westminster City School alumnus who has successfully navigated the journey from Palace Street to one of the world’s leading universities and into the legal profession. The school community is extremely proud of Stephen’s achievements and grateful for the time he took to share his experience with current students.