Leeds law firm champions “diversity and inclusion” via local school partnership

Law firm Clarion is celebrating a successful first year of partnership with Dixons Trinity Chapeltown school in Leeds.

Working with Ahead Partnership, the Leeds based law firm has delivered a bespoke programme of activities over the last nine months designed to help enable students to “fulfil their potential”, as part of the business’ ongoing commitment to making a positive contribution to local communities and “championing diversity and inclusion”.

Currently with around 700 pupils aged between four and 16, Trinity Chapeltown offers a curriculum and approach designed specifically to serve the community of Chapeltown and Harehills. Established just five years ago, the school was judged ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in November 2021.

Emma Lowe, legal director at Clarion, who is leading the initiative, commented: “As a firm, we’re keen to give back to local communities and wanted to build a long-term relationship with a school in Yorkshire where we felt our team could play a real role in inspiring and empowering pupils to achieve their potential.

“Clarion has been involved in various activities through Ahead Partnership since 2011 and we are now very much looking forward to focusing our efforts on supporting Dixons Trinity Chapeltown in particular into the future – a school that we feel has values aligned to our own.”

Ash Jacobs, vice principal at Dixons Trinity Chapeltown, added: “We’re thrilled to be working with Clarion whose culture fits so well with our own approach – we both believe that it’s about being values driven, having a clear vision, focusing relentlessly on results and building strong relationships at all levels.

“This partnership will give our pupils exposure to a wide range of careers, including those in professional services, increasing their understanding of the breadth of jobs and learning opportunities open to them.”

In addition, over the course of the academic year, Clarion has welcomed a number of students from years 9 and 10 into their offices to, amongst other things, meet the team, speak at firm wide events and take part in tailored activities.

Megan Lipp, head of business development at Ahead Partnership, which has been working with the school since 2019 and is working with Clarion to design and deliver this social value programme, said: “We are so grateful to Clarion for making this long-term commitment to working with Dixons Trinity Chapeltown to inspire and support their students.”