Having started as the Head of the School of Law in May 2022, I have been able to reflect on what we can deliver to our students. I am driven to continue to develop the school and create a supportive learning environment that staff and students can be proud and feel part of, not only in their time at Leeds Trinity University but for the rest of their lives.    

Leeds Trinity University recently achieved an overall student satisfaction score of 80% in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2022 results, making it joint top in Yorkshire and the Humber and joint 25th in the UK for this measure*. 

As we congratulated our latest graduates in July 2022, it was wonderful as a relatively new starter at Leeds Trinity University to hear of the different ways our students had reached their special day amidst the challenges of recent years, and how we recognise the individual as a part of the whole student cohort.  

Students are at the heart of what we do at Leeds Trinity University and as on campus delivery has returned, so has the ability to create a community for learning and to get to know your fellow students. I am already excited to be planning events for the forthcoming academic year. 

As the pathways to a career in law become more varied, we seek to ensure that our students have the opportunity not only to understand the key legal concepts and foundations of legal knowledge, but also to develop the skills that will be beneficial to them in the future. Skills that whilst highly relevant and necessary for a career in law are transferrable to other professions and vocations. This year’s Graduate Outcomes survey also placed Leeds Trinity University top in Yorkshire for employability and 15th in the UK**. 

To that end, we use our mock courtroom to help students build their confidence in public speaking and presenting legal arguments and have a Law Clinic for students in the latter part of their degree to experience client interviews and the giving of advice.   

This is not the only opportunity to experience law in the real world. We also have links with the legal and business community through our placement programmes and continue to seek out projects and organisations for our students to be involved with, thereby creating opportunities to network and enrich their learning - or dare I say ignite a passion.   

I have also reflected on the fact that the School of Law is blessed to have a team of committed and experienced staff, many of whom have had or still have experience of a career in legal practice or research. This has the benefit of informing the material that is provided in our modules and enriching our students' experience.   

We do not teach law in the abstract. We encourage student participation in both the delivery and discussion of our subject areas and seek to demonstrate the relevance of what is being taught to current issues and real-life scenarios.   

The school also works collaboratively with our professional services teams to provide support if required and to ensure our students can reach their full potential and see the world as their oyster.   

Steve Bravery is Head of School – Law at Leeds Trinity University.

* Mainstream universities in the National Student Survey 2022. For more information visit: leedstrinity.ac.uk/nss 

** Graduate Outcomes, Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) published 2022. For more information visit: leedstrinity.ac.uk/gosurvey