CAREERS NETWORK
OP NETWORK HELPS JAMES TO PUPILLAGE AT TOP FIRM
The support and advice of the Pocklington School community past and present has helped OP James Reckitt( 10-12) beat off tough opposition to secure a pupillage at a leading law firm.
This summer James gained a first class honours degree in Law from York University and in September started his pupillage at Dere Street Barristers’ Chambers in York, a highly-regarded set on the North-Eastern Circuit.
The achievement rewards a good deal of hard work on James’ part, but he also credits Pocklington School staff and the OP Careers Network for rallying round to offer valuable support, advice and contacts in what can appear a difficult world to penetrate.
The OP Network swung into action when James joined the sixth form, helping him achieve his ambition to be a criminal barrister by arranging valuable work experience and offering insights into the legal world.
Andrew Wilson( 89-99), President of the Old Pocklingtonian Association and a barrister in Leeds, offered support and advice as did others, including Victoria Latham( 92-94), Nick Lumley( 80-87), Simon Spence QC( 74-81) and parent Adrian Strong.
Through them James secured valuable work experience in different types of law from barristers, commercial lawyers and solicitors in York, Leeds and Hull.
He said:“ I was able to experience theft, rape and fraud trials, carry out research in chambers, sit in on defendants’ interviews and generally follow court procedures in both Magistrates and County Courts, all of which I found extremely interesting.
“ Working on real life cases means you get a feel for what the job is really like on a day-to-day level, which is really valuable when choosing which career to aim for. It well and truly reinforced my wish to work within the legal profession.”
The experience meant James had much to write about on his university application form – and he also had a head start when he began his course at York University. His final graduation marks placed him second in the entire Law School.
In a letter to Headmaster, Mark Ronan, updating him on his achievements, James said:“ It is evident that my education at Pocklington School went far deeper than the academic subjects I chose to study. Without the skill and work ethic I developed through my time in sixth form, I am sure that I would not be writing the same letter to you today.
“ I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, along with everyone who contributed towards my education( both intra and extra-curricular) for making this achievement possible.”
His parents, Jim and Hazel Reckitt, who first
contacted OP Liaison Officer Rachel Dare to ask if the OP Network could offer an insight into the legal profession, are delighted with James’ success.
Hazel said:“ We should like to urge all parents to use the OP Network, as it is a huge asset to Pocklington School. Don’ t miss out on this unique opportunity for your son or daughter!”
Mark Ronan said:“ We are delighted at James’ accomplishments. It is extremely rewarding to have played a part in helping him achieve his aims.
“ Our curriculum is tailored to stretch and challenge each pupil to achieve their best, and James benefited from a rounded education aimed at producing pupils with the confidence and resilience to capitalise on every opportunity. We wish him every success in the future.”
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
MARCUS ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Many a schoolboy dreams of being a racing driver when they grow up, but when Marcus Hoggarth( 84-92) attended Pocklington School, his ambitions were more focused on playing for York City.
Roll forward the years and, while the footballing dream didn’ t come off and initially Marcus moved away from the area, he has returned to Yorkshire, as the Sales and Marketing Director for Hull-based food producer Cranswick plc.
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Marcus, now aged 40, left Pocklington School to take a Retail Marketing degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, followed by nine years working for Sainsbury’ s in London in various trading roles.
He and wife Lisa moved back up to live near Pocklington ten years ago, when Marcus took the Cranswick job. Son James was born two years later, followed by Isabel, who is now four.
For most, life would have settled down from that point, with a career forged and a young family to care for, but Marcus had other plans. His enthusiasm for watching motorsport had taken on a new dimension.“ I wanted to be a doer, not a viewer,” he recalls“ and when the motorsport bug bites, it bites really hard.”
Soon afterwards he took to the racetrack himself, competing in One Make championships( when all competitors use a specified car) in the Caterham and Ginetta SuperCup touring car championships, before graduating to top marque sports cars to