Former Henley College Student Transitions to Police Force

“I joined The Henley College in 2009 to study the National Diploma in Uniformed Public Services, qualifying with a triple Distinction in 2011.

The year before, I started on an A Level programme, but after six short weeks I realised A Levels were not for me. I am a practical person and I prefer practical based learning, which is why the BTEC Uniformed Public Services course immediately spiked my interest, once I understood how it worked!

One of the great benefits of attending The Henley College was the Enrichment programme where I started personal training sessions at the gym at Gillotts School, where I met my closest friends at the College. This encouraged me to find a career that would utilise my excess energy. The Henley College staff also supported me with my Dyslexia that made exams so hard.

After leaving The Henley College, I completed a degree in Fitness Management and Personal Training at Southampton Solent University, where I was really well supported and became a successful personal trainer with David Lloyd. But after five years of training, I had gained the life skills to enable me to consider a change in career. I wanted more and could no longer resist the calling I had to serve the community I live in – so I applied to join Sussex Police. I am now a substantive police officer with qualifications in Driving and Public Order/Riot Policing. I have also been nominated to complete a Taser course and have been approached by a firearms sergeant with regards to the firearms recruitment process.

So how did The Henley College’s Uniformed Public Services Diploma help me?

I found the course suited my learning style perfectly. Rather than being bombarded with questions such as “How many electrons are there in a carbon atom?” I was discussing the emergency response plans to major incidents such as terrorist attacks or flooding and political/policing changes. I could not have been more engaged.

The course had a brilliant mix of studying British law and the laws of armed conflict, to the professional standards expected while you wear a uniform. The course prepared me well for policing, understanding how working for an emergency force is not a 9 to 5 job.

Whilst on the BTEC course, we went to Calshot Activity Centre where we tried out a variety of outdoor pursuits and we had a visit from the British Army where we completed some “phys”, learned how to cook with Army rations and got a chance to try and eat one of the 4000kcal packs!