A former Weston College student has successfully completed his police training and is now serving as a police officer. We caught up with the former ‘Certificate in Knowledge of Policing’ student to find out what it’s like to become a police officer and also get his top tips!

How did the ‘Certificate in Knowledge of Policing’ course prepare you to become a police officer?

“The course at Weston College provides students with an understanding of the main pieces of legislation that a lot of police work revolves around (Police and criminal evidence act, Theft act etc.).

“The course gave me a head start on the industry, as when I started training I wasn’t having to learn everything from scratch and could instead focus more in solidifying my understanding.

“I was also very fortunate to have two ex-officers teach the course in the form of a retired Detective Inspector and a retired Chief Inspector. The knowledge they were able to pass on to me was invaluable. They were also both kind enough to help me with my application as well so credit has to go to them in helping me get where I am now.”

What did the training entail?

“The training lasted for 17 weeks and was Monday to Friday 9-5. It was predominantly classroom based, however there were practical role play days and officer safety days. These consisted of learning vital skills such as handcuffing, restraints and how to use our safety kit such as PAVA spray.”

What advice would you give to any students that are thinking of following a similar route?

“The advice I would give is to jump in and do it! The training can be tough and it seems to last for a really long time, but it is ever so worth it as the job is stressful but very rewarding.

“One of the most important things to do before applying is do your research. Doing the CKP (Certificate in Knowledge of Policing) is a good way of getting a flavour of what you’re applying for and demonstrates your commitment when it comes to applying for roles.

“Also consider going on ride-alongs or applying for the Special Constabulary first. The main thing though is to not get disheartened if you don’t get accepted first time of applying. If it’s a career you are serious about following then you are going to need perseverance and commitment in order to get in.”

What is your favourite thing about being a police officer?

“The unpredictability of the job is something that I find particularly exciting. The best thing though, as cheesy as it sounds, is being able to make a difference to people’s lives and having the ability to help people when they need it most.”

Why do you think students should study the CKP course at Weston College?

“I studied at Knightstone Campus and the facilities really are great. I don’t live local to the College and had to travel in, but it is really accessible from the M5 motorway.

“Weston College are really lucky to have ex-officers teach this course, and I think this is a real advantage that helps prepare you for what is to come. The staff are extremely helpful and always willing to sort out any issues that may arise.”

The ‘Certificate in Knowledge of Policing’ course lasts 14 weeks and will help to prepare you for recruitment as a Police Constable in England or Wales. It is also relevant to roles within the Criminal Justice Sector.

If you would like to follow in this police officers footsteps, you can find out more information on the course here.

Weston College has finished joint-second in a table of every further education college in the UK.

The FE Week NICDEX rankings gives each college a mark out of ten in four categories – learner satisfaction, employer satisfaction, 16-to-18 positive progression and adults into employment. These are then added together to give an overall score.

Weston College was awarded 34 out of 40 – level with Newcastle and Stafford, and two behind PETROC.

The rankings were devised in 2016 by Nick Linford FE Week’s editor and a former director of performance at Lewisham College. They are based on satisfaction and progression criteria published by the Department for Education.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Weston College’s Principal and Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted with this fantastic achievement, we always put our learners first.

“We work extremely hard to make sure our learners enjoy their time with us, developing themselves holistically and progressing to further/higher education or employment. We are continually building strong relationships with all of our employer partners and stakeholders to ensure we are creating relevant training and qualifications that lead to meaningful employment for our learners.

“To be ranked second in the country show we’re definitely doing something right!”

To find out what it’s like to work in the early years sector, we asked an industry professional to share some opinions and experiences from their career. Jay Sparkle has been working in the early years industry for over 12 years. He’s currently area manager for Storal Learning Ltd and works closely with nurseries all over the south west, including Honeytree Nursery at Weston General Hospital.

What made you want to work with young people?

Well I grew up with a large family. I had lots of younger siblings so I always naturally felt this responsibility to look after them. When I was a bit older my nephew would often come round and play. I enjoyed playing along and found the way in which he was learning really interesting. I wanted to learn more about behaviours and what causes them which, in turn, sparked my interest in working with children.

What are the top three qualities or skills you need to work with young people?

Patience, imagination and confidence. You really have to be yourself around children and not worry about what others might think. For example, I know I’m not a great singer, but when I’m singing with the children I don’t worry about others judging me and just go for it. People forget that children don’t judge and ensuring they are engaged and having fun is the most important thing.

A lot of people might be worried about not advancing in this industry. Are there many opportunities for progression?

There are so many opportunities for progression. Starting as a student at a day nursery, you can then progress to become a manager, area manager and then perhaps open your own nursery. And that’s just one possible career path working with children. The industry is always changing and evolving so it’s quite exciting to be a part of. It’s very much ‘the more you put in, the more you get out’ so you’re more likely to enjoy your job more if you’re invested and want to succeed.

Are there currently any skills gaps in the industry?

Knowledge surrounding safeguarding practices and policies will always be relevant and in high demand. More people need to understand that the job isn’t just playing with children. Practitioners have a massive responsibility to keep the children in their care safe and happy. There can be lots of paperwork at times so understanding the core values and safeguarding procedures is of the upmost importance in this industry.

Is a qualification in early years necessary?

It’s clear when an applicant has a qualification in early years. Their underpinning knowledge and skills are already there and ready to be applied in the workplace. However, experience is equally important. I’ve seen people with the top grades struggle because they’re not comfortable with the children. That’s why the work experience programme at Weston College is so beneficial. It allows students to experience the work environment, put their lessons into practice and find out if this career is for them.

What impresses you most about Honey Tree Nursery?

As I said before, the industry is forever evolving. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ and the staff at Honeytree are excellent at responding to changes and adapting their practices accordingly. Every child is different so no two days are the same. The reliable staff always work hard to improve, and their ‘good enough isn’t good enough’ attitude really makes the nursery stand out.

Find out more about our Early Years courses and how you can start your journey to a rewarding and challenging career!