The College of Legal Practice

We are proud to be supporting Bristol Law Society's Legal SQE Scholarship Scheme for a second year.

This fantastic initiative helps aspiring solicitors from disadvantaged backgrounds access SQE preparation courses and exam funding, while also connecting them with opportunities and support within the local legal community.

Improving access to the profession matters, and it is great to see continued investment in widening access to legal careers across Bristol and the surrounding areas.

If you are planning to study for the SQE and meet the eligibility criteria, we would strongly encourage you to apply.

Applications close at midnight on 7 June 2026 ⏰

Find out more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eSzcxwQ7

SQE2 results day is here and we are thinking of you all 💙

These exams are tough, some of the toughest that you are likely to face and whatever your result today, your hard work deserves to be recognised.

If you passed, huge congratulations! You are nearly there in terms of qualification, and we would love to hear your news and celebrate with you 🎉

If your result wasn’t what you hoped for, whilst it is difficult to take, you will have more opportunities in the future. It is not uncommon to have setbacks and there is support available to help you move forward.

Our team is here to support you in reviewing your next steps, identifying areas to strengthen, and helping you plan what comes next so please do get in touch.

The College of Legal Practice is inspected by Ofsted as a provider of the Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship, but what does that actually mean for students and employers?

Ofsted provides independent oversight to ensure apprenticeship training meets national standards for quality, safeguarding, and learner support.

In its January 2026 monitoring inspection, Ofsted reported significant progress across key areas of the College’s provision, including inclusion, curriculum, and teaching and training. Inspectors highlighted a strong inclusive culture, effective learner support, and a well-structured curriculum that helps apprentices build legal knowledge and apply it in practice.

The report also recognised reasonable progress in leadership, governance, and safeguarding, with apprentices described as feeling well supported and safe throughout their studies.

Our CEO, Dr Giles Proctor, welcomed the findings, noting the College’s commitment to widening access to the legal profession and delivering high-quality, flexible online legal education that supports apprentices and employers.

The College began delivering apprenticeships in August 2024 and now supports over 100 apprentices across England through fully online training designed for real-world legal practice.

Read the full article and Ofsted's report: https://lnkd.in/ejkvdfsi

We’ve recently been made aware of a fake social media account impersonating The College of Legal Practice. This account has been removed.

Please be aware:
🔹We will only ever contact you through our official channels.
🔹We will never ask for sensitive personal or financial information via social media.
🔹Any accounts using variations of our name that seem unusual should be treated with caution.

What should you do? If you come across a suspicious account:
🔸Do not engage or share any personal information
🔸Report the account directly on the platform
🔸Let us know by messaging our official account or emailing [email protected]

If you have any concerns about your own accounts, check Instagram's safety guide: https://about.instagram.com/safety

Thanks for your support in keeping our community safe.

The College of Legal Practice team

📅 2 June 2026
🕗 6pm GMT
📍 Book your free spot: https://lnkd.in/ekMkfsAe

Considering qualifying as a solicitor through the SQE route but not sure where to begin? This session is designed to give you clarity.

Join our Student Recruitment Team and Jane Waddell, Head of Curriculum, for a free live webinar breaking down the SQE route in a clear and practical way.

We’ll cover:
🔹 What the SQE route to qualification involves
🔹 The different pathways available
🔹 What to expect from SQE1, SQE2 and Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)
🔹 How to prepare for the SQE with The College of Legal Practice

You’ll also learn more about our SQE1 and SQE2 preparation courses, LLM in Legal Practice, and the support available throughout your studies.

Perfect for:
🔹 Law graduates
🔹 Future solicitors exploring the SQE route
🔹 Anyone looking for a clearer understanding of the qualification process

There will also be an opportunity to ask your questions live during the webinar.

We are proud to be supporting the Birmingham Law Society Diversity & Inclusion Scheme once again this year alongside The University of Law, Higgs LLP and Devonshires.

This important initiative helps aspiring solicitors from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds access financial support for LPC or SQE study, alongside mentoring, work experience opportunities and support from the legal community.

Creating more accessible routes into the profession is essential, and it is fantastic to see continued commitment to improving diversity and social mobility within the legal sector.

If you are based in the Birmingham area and planning to study from autumn 2026, we would encourage you to explore the scheme and apply.

⏰ Applications close on 30 May 2026 - find out more and apply: https://shorturl.at/ZlBlv

This is an opportunity to reflect on how students experience the SQE in practice, particularly alongside work, financial pressure and high expectations.

At The College of Legal Practice, students have been very clear with us about where pressure arises in SQE1. They’ve told us that:

🔹SQE1 exam days are too long and too intense, and that question sequencing and randomisation add unnecessary barriers to performance
🔹the booking process can feel clumsy, while the high costs of exam fees, resits, travel and accommodation create additional pressures, particularly for self‑funding, time‑limited students with fewer financial buffers

The College’s CEO, Giles Proctor, agrees: “The SQE1 exam is now widely perceived as challenging, with significant concerns being raised about time pressure, question style and fairness.”

These insights align with research from and the National Junior Lawyers Division which highlights increasing mental health pressures facing junior lawyers in high‑pressure working environments, where long hours and limited flexibility are common.

What makes a difference for these individuals is how they are supported within their firm. As Giles explains, “The support provided by firms and training providers is invaluable and helps to lessen the stresses of SQE study.”

We see this first-hand through the strong support provided by our partner firms, including regular pastoral check-ins, advocacy for protected study time, and a clear understanding of the pressures of studying for the SQE. A coordinated, tripartite approach between employers, education providers and students can make all the difference.

For firms, the takeaway is clear: many pressure points are predictable, and working practices matter. Awareness of exam timelines, realistic workload planning, and informed, supportive supervision can help reduce pressure and support wellbeing within SQE programmes.