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.

On Monday 2nd July, Weston College’s Rolls-Royce apprentices took a trip to the famous RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. The apprentices are training to be aircraft engine fitters and this was a great opportunity for them to see up close the engines that Rolls-Royce produce on the airfield at an RAF base.

The students got to view an Airbus 330, an A400M and then had the privilege of going on board a Hercules C130J for a closer look! This gave them the chance to see the Rolls Royce engines in a real life situation. They also witnessed an Osprey aircraft doing some manoeuvres above the air field.

The students that visited the site have spent the first year at Weston College’s South West Skills Campus undertaking their Rolls-Royce Engineering Apprenticeships taking a mixture of academic subjects and hands on engineering workshop training. The College prides itself on delivering training specific to each company it works with and opportunities to visit places such as Brize Norton further enrich the students’ experience on their course.

Mick Jones, Aerospace Lecturer at Weston College said “All the students really enjoyed the trip and felt they had a greater appreciation of where all the work they do at Filton ends up, plus they could see first-hand why the quality of their work is so important! “

If you are interested in becoming a Rolls-Royce Apprentice please contact our Apprenticeship Team on 01934 411594 or click here to find out more.

This year’s Creative Arts Festival took place from 23rd May until the 21st June and provided our students with a fantastic opportunity to showcase their talents. There was a range of shows throughout the festival, with work produced by students studying courses throughout our Creative Arts Department.

The Summer Showcase took place at Loxton Campus, running for 8 days and was met with great reviews. There was a wide range of work on show, which was produced by students studying media production, graphics, photography, contemporary arts, graphic design, as well as art and design.

Our music students took over the Electric Banana for three nights, with students from Year 1, Year 2 and UCW taking to the stage and treating the audience to DJ sets, acoustic sessions and other musical performances.

The Performing Arts Showcase ‘The Greatest Show’ was a fantastic spectacle which took place in front of a packed out crowd in the Playhouse, and was met with standing ovations. If you are interested in studying any Creative Arts courses you can find information by clicking here.