Richard Huish College upper sixth law student Esmé Jolly has been offered a prestigious, fully funded Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship at VWV Solicitors in Bristol.
Esmé, who previously attended Woodroffe School and is now completing A Levels in law, history, and sociology, successfully navigated a highly competitive selection process. She emerged as the top candidate from a pool of nearly 500 applicants nationwide, including those with existing paralegal qualifications.
The application process began with an online submission, followed by a demanding video interview stage. Candidates were required to respond to a series of timed questions, with only one opportunity to record each answer. Esmé’s strong performance earned her a place at an assessment day, where she joined 15 other shortlisted candidates from across the country. 
The assessment day included a range of challenging tasks: candidates were asked to prepare and deliver a five-minute PowerPoint presentation proposing an original app idea to support the legal sector, participate in a team-based activity, and complete a one-hour written exam.
After a full day of assessments, Esmé was contacted the same evening and invited to the final stage. As one of only four finalists, she then attended an individual interview and was ultimately selected as the successful candidate.
“The experience was challenging, however I am extremely grateful to be in the position I am in now and really excited for this next stage to start,” Esmé said.
“I have to thank my teachers, Rowena Mudge, Melanie Kubicki and David Irving, all of whom gave me the confidence, skills and assurance to pursue the job. Their support was infinite and I am forever grateful.
“My participation in the Law Society and mooting was also a key factor which caught the attention of the firm, showing its excellence and how it gives people so many key skills including oracy – I would encourage everyone interested in law to come to the Huish Law School. It has changed my life!”
Esmé’s success comes at a time of wider recognition for the Huish Law School. Huish law department was recently named runner-up for the Sixth Form College Association’s (SFCA) Innovation and Change Award, in recognition of its creation of the first fully immersive mock courtroom in the South of England. The award was collected by Vice Principals, Becky Flower and Laurie Morgan.
The courtroom, developed by the law department with support from the wider legal community, was built using repurposed furniture destined for landfill. It now serves as a powerful educational space, helping students develop key skills such as oracy, communication, and problem-solving.
“The Huish Law School’s inspiration to make the courtroom happen has had a tremendous impact on our learning,” Esmé added.
“The courtroom embodies and symbolises so many dreams for all law students, and what we could become. It reminds us of the years ahead and the endless opportunities we can pursue, as we visualise ourselves standing in front of a real court.”
Course Manager for Law, Rowena Mudge, said: “I am so proud of Esmé, we have really seen her grow and develop her skills over the last two years in law.
“She really came to life in mooting, making the team that reached the finals of the Bar Mock competition this year. I know that her perseverance, resilience, and hard work will stand her in good stead for the legal career ahead of her.”
The Huish Law School combines academic excellence with opportunities to apply their learning in practical, inspiring contexts.
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