Bridging the Bar collaboration widens access to the profession
BPP University Law School is pleased to announce the launch of a new partnership with Bridging the Bar Academy, a non-profit registered charity.
BPP University Law School is pleased to announce the launch of a new partnership with Bridging the Bar Academy, a non-profit registered charity.
Founded in July 2020, BTB aims to support aspiring barristers from a range of statistically underrepresented groups at the Bar. Since its inception, the charity has provided its candidates with access to opportunities which assist candidates on their journeys to becoming a barrister. BTB exists to bridge the gap between candidates from non-traditional backgrounds and the skills, experience and networks required to develop a career at the Bar.
The collaboration will provide students with work experience opportunities, mentoring, personal development workshops and access to resources that will assist them to increase their chances of securing pupillage, whilst also preparing them for professional life at the Bar.
Working together, BPP will be the headline sponsor of the BTB Academy, which will provide 100 candidates with structured educational training and development opportunities following a competitive application process. With diversity and inclusion underpinning BTB’s mission, the BTB Academy will include the provision of extensive support with pupillage applications, improving interview techniques of candidates, and equipping candidates with the mindset tools required to succeed within the profession.
Applications for the 2023/24 BTB Academy will open at 09:00 on 01.05.23 and will close at 23:00 on 01.07.23. The application has two stages: part one is a written assessment and part two is a video assessment, totalling at six questions. Applicants should contact programmes@bridgingthebar.org if they have any queries.
BPP will also be providing five £5,000 scholarships for BPP’s Barrister Training Course (BTC) to future BTB Academy members who would not otherwise be able to afford to study for the Bar. BTB will also be providing BPP students, and alumni, opportunities to attend BTB Academy applications-focused workshops.
Jonny Hurst, Senior Lecturer and Law Marketing Lead at BPP University Law School said “We’re extremely excited about this new partnership and share BTB’s passion and commitment to widen participation at the Bar so that the profession better reflects the diverse world we inhabit. As a university, we are absolutely committed to training and supporting anyone who aspires to become a legal professional, regardless of their ethnic or socio-economic background, sexuality, disability, or long-term health condition.
We look forward to working together with BTB to continue to break down barriers and provide opportunities for anyone who has the dedication, passion, and commitment to make a career at the Bar.”
Mass Ndow-Njie, Founder of Bridging the Bar said “I am delighted that Bridging the Bar will be collaborating with my alma mater to continue the important work that we have started by launching the BTB Academy. With the support of BPP University, we know that we can take our work with the BTB Academy to the next level whilst also increasing our impact in regions outside of London.”
