Kent Law School has marked a milestone in its history with the graduation of its final cohort of law students from the campus at Medway.
Josephine Palmer, Roxanne Silverton and Xanthe Harris had the distinction of being the last three law students to graduate at Rochester Cathedral on Tuesday 10 July. They each completed their Law LLB studies at Medway on a part-time basis over six years, successfully juggling the demands of family, work and studies to achieve a 2:1.
Applauding them as they were conferred their degrees by University Chancellor Gavin Esler, were Dean for Medway Professor Nick Grief, Academic Lead for Kent Law School at Medway Dr Karen Devine and Senior Law Lecturer Johanne Thompson.
Dr Devine commended Jo, Roxy and Xanthe for their tenacity: ‘To successfully combine study with work and childcare/caring commitments to achieve a degree is an amazing feat, but to have the stamina and determination to dedicate six years (and more!) of one’s life to doing so is truly remarkable. We are immensely proud of them all and wish them every success as they continue their legal training. Way to go, ladies!’
Jo will go on to complete her legal training via the CILEx Route and both Roxy and Xanthe are undertaking their LPC (Legal Practice Course) at the University of Law.
Professor Grief said: ‘As Dean for Medway and a senior member of Kent Law School, I am very proud of Roxy, Jo and Xanthe. Celebrating their success underlines the importance of our Medway campus. When the University of Kent began offering degrees at Medway some 21 years ago, it was with the twofold aim of widening access to higher education and contributing to the socio-economic regeneration of the Medway towns. Being able to study for a degree at Medway is a transformative experience for so many people who might not otherwise have had the chance to go to university. Although the subjects we offer here may change, the local and personal impact of our commitment to Medway will continue to grow.’
Kent Law School first began teaching Law LLB studies at the University’s Medway campus in 2005, with the Medway branch of Kent Law Clinic opening in 2006 and the Certificate in Law programme launching in 2012. Dr Devine said: ‘I personally feel extremely honoured to have played a part in Law at Medway’s history, privileged to have served alongside some wonderfully dedicated colleagues, and proud of all the Medway students that I have had the pleasure to teach and guide.’
Head of Kent Law School Professor Toni Williams thanked and congratulated colleagues who had taught and administered law programmes at Medway over the years: ‘So many colleagues contributed to the Medway programme to a greater or lesser degree over the years and those programmes were the progenitors of the Law School’s current work on student success. They graduated hundreds of students and they taught us all a great deal.’
Following the conclusion of Kent Law School’s provision at Medway, all undergraduate Law School students (including part-time students) now study at Kent’s Canterbury campus. Postgraduate Law School students at Kent study at Canterbury but also have the option to complete all or part of their studies at Kent’s centre in Brussels.