Highlights From SRA Webinar

highlights from SRA webinar

ByPradip Khakhar

This past week the SRA held two webinars. Below are highlights from SRA webinar, aimed at understanding the SQE and supporting aspiring solicitors.

Webinar 1: Understanding the SQE

SQE Data Insights and Performance Analysis

  • Rich Data Set: SQE collects extensive data on candidate registration, exam performance, individual questions, and examiner marking consistency.
  • Psychometric Team: A specialist in-house team of psychometricians and data analysts ensures ongoing quality assurance, supported by an independent psychometrician appointed by SRA.
  • Socioeconomic Background Findings: Candidates are categorized into seven socioeconomic groups based on education and parental background. 38% of candidates come from the three least privileged groups, illustrating diverse access.
  • Disability and Neurodivergence: Candidates identifying as disabled perform on par with non-disabled peers. Neurodivergent candidates who requested reasonable adjustments (RAs) performed slightly above average, indicating no disadvantage in the exam.

Solicitor Apprenticeships

  • Over 800 apprentices have passed the SQE.
  • Apprentices have high pass rates: 71% (SQE1) and 93% (SQE2), outperforming non-apprentices.
  • They come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, with strong representation from less privileged groups, and are more likely to be female and white compared to non-apprentices.

Publication of Results by Provider

  • SRA plans to publish pass rates by training provider but has paused due to data quality issues.
  • A more sophisticated modeling approach is underway to improve transparency and candidate support.
Screen Shot taken from SRA webinar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWeooDh7PAI)

Highly suggest viewing the design principles for SQE 1 and SQE 2 with Tim Maddison [Link to webinar below].

Presenters and topics

  • SQE facts and stats – Julie Swan, Director of Education and Training, SRA (Chair)
  • A deeper drive into the SQE data – Richard Hankins, Quality and Standards Director, Kaplan Assessments
  • Design Principles for SQE1 and SQE2 – Tim Maddison, Legal Academic Director, Kaplan SQE
  • SQE evaluation – Beverley Rizzotto, Policy Manager, SRA

Webinar 2: Supporting aspiring Solicitors

This webinar discusses the SQE route to qualification, focusing on the evolving training market. Transitional arrangements from the previous Legal Practice Course (LPC) route. The role of QWE, and solicitor apprenticeships as a flexible route into the legal profession.

SQE Training Market

  • Purpose of SQE: Introduced in 2021 to remove artificial barriers in solicitor qualification, promoting diversity and flexibility by replacing the expensive and restrictive LPC route.
  • Training Providers: Over 150 providers offer more than 250 different SQE preparation courses for SQE1, SQE2, and combined pathways.
  • Course Diversity: Price ranges from free to approximately £10,000. Varied study lengths, modes (remote, face-to-face, hybrid), and learner-centered pacing.
  • Candidate Behavior: Some use multiple providers for different stages. Others combine formal training with independent study or mock exams.
  • Challenges: The vast choice can overwhelm candidates in selecting suitable courses.
  • Support Tools: The SQE Training and Course Finder Tool (launched February) allows filtering by cost, duration, delivery method, and provider info. Additional resources on funding, consumer rights, and provider viability are available on the SRA website.
  • Candidate Performance Data: SRA is exploring publishing performance data by provider but emphasizes careful contextualization to prevent unintended consequences and protect market diversity.
  • No Regulation of Training Market: To encourage innovation and accommodate diverse study preferences, SRA does not regulate training providers for consistency, allowing for varied delivery models.

Presenters and topics

  • Introduction – Julie Swan, Director of Education and Training, SRA (Chair)
  • The SQE training market – Richard Williams, Policy Manager, SRA
  • LPC route and transitional arrangements – Julie Swan, Director of Education and Training, SRA (Chair)
  • QWE – Myth busting  – Richard Williams, Policy Manager, SRA
  • Apprenticeships in practice – Kerry Gilbert, Careers Manager – Apprenticeships TLT LLP

The be an adult section

This post is my summary of the two webinars. Other topics were covered as seen in the presenters and topics section. I suggest you view the webinars if this is a topic of interest to you.

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