NESTLED in the heart of Worcester is a little-known school that is churning out some of the county's biggest players in the world of law.

From top barristers to legal executives, thousands of people have studied at Worcester Law School in the past 25 years. Yet, its existence still seems to be one of the city's best kept secrets.

I have to admit, that until recently I was just as ignorant of the law school as most people - but a tour of the facilities revealed it to be a hidden gem in Worcester's educational crown.

Appropriately located in the old police station in Deansway, the school is part of Worcester College of Technology, although its degrees are awarded by Staffordshire University.

John Duddington, head of law and founder of the school, said: "We want to make people aware that they don't need to move away from Worcester to study law."

The school was established in 1979 to fill a geographical gap in the market between Birmingham and Bristol. The demand was initially from legal executives and secretaries who wished to complete their training and become solicitors. But, inevitably, the school grew to offer more and more courses, and is further expanding its repertoire this year, with another new addition - from September it will be offering a certificate of higher education in criminology.

Mr Duddington said: "We hope this will help people wanting to work in the criminal justice system doing other roles other than just solicitors and barristers. Our aim is to serve a range of needs in the legal system."

The school runs a total of seven courses, including a Bachelor of Law honours degree (LLB), graduate diploma in legal studies, HND in law, Institute of Legal Executives (levels three and six), and Legal Secretaries' certificate/diploma. Most courses are run part-time to allow people to continue working and earning.

Senior lecturer Susan Jarvis said: "Many of our students are mature. So offering part-time courses allows them to make that transition more easily. It also means people can work at the same time and continue to earn, while they study."

Even the building enhances the learning experience and, as the former police station and magistrates court, it boasts all possibilities for a lawyer-in-training. Old courtrooms have become classrooms, there is a police interview room and even a mock courtroom.

Law has had a huge surge in recent years and gone are the days when a degree from Oxbridge was the only way in. Students from the law school have gone on to a range of careers. Many of them are now local solicitors and legal executives and others are barristers. Some have gained senior positions in local government and others work in the Crown Prosecution Service, the Law Society, the Magistrates Court Services and other similar bodies.

"The law school prides itself in offering a friendly, supportive and stimulating learning experience," said Mr Duddington.

Worcester Law School is holding an open day on Wednesday, July 4, from noon to 8pm. All are welcome to attend. For more details on courses available call the law school on 01905 743466.