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