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Public Services Courses

public services students in a field doing an obstacle course involving tires and planks
Getting Ahead

Public Services Level 3 at Alton Campus

Are you starting Level 3 Public Services at HSDC Alton in September? You’re in the right place!

Before you arrive at HSDC Alton we’d like you to complete some research on some of the modules you’ll be studying. It’s the type of work you’ll be doing when you get to College.

Please send your Getting Ahead work to – jess.hornsby@hsdc.ac.uk

public services student taking part in an activity

To be successful in any of the uniformed protective services you will need to know what they do, what roles they have, what requirements they have to join and how much you will be paid. Please do some research using Google and answer the following questions:

  • Which service are you interested in?
  • What is your chosen service’s mission statement (what do they do)?
  • What is the full title of the job role, regiment or department of the service you want to join?
  • What are the conditions of service (how long do you have to join for)?
  • How much will you be paid?
  • Is there a rank structure?

The course will support and help you learn the levels of fitness required by a specific uniformed service during the recruitment process and how diet and exercise will contribute to improving your own physical fitness. You will then be expected to improve your own level of personal fitness. Please research the fitness tests you have to complete when joining a service of your choice.

Get ahead and download the 100% Army Fit App on your phone to get you fit for College. Select ‘I want to get fitter’ and set your start date for 01/09/2024. You will get a personalised plan and you don’t need any equipment. In September you can show us the improvement in your fitness testing.

Useful links:

In any job you will need to understand and demonstrate leadership skills. Like any skill, this is something that needs to be learned and practised. To aid you in this process you will learn and apply the theories that underpin leadership, both in the classroom and during practical activities. They will make the difference between being a leader or being a good leader!

Watch each video and answer the associated questions:

A Good Leader?

  • Why would this type of leader be preferred?
  • Why could this type of leadership be more productive?
  • Why, as a leader, would you need to be able to use both?

What Skills and Qualities Make a Good Leader?

  • Did the commanding officer lead by example?
  • Why would a team seeing their leader leading by example be important?

Which of the following ten skills and qualities did the commanding officer show and why are they important? (If you are unsure of the term below feel free to look it up).

Skills & Qualities Demonstrated

Yes/No

 Where was this demonstrated and why is this skill or quality important?
Courage  

 
Organisation  

 
Knowledge  

 
Effective Communication  

 
Confidence  

 
Motivational  

 
Dedication  

 
Timekeeping  

 
Loyalty  

 

In all forms of employment, an understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion is essential, as it is often a legal requirement and you may be in a position to uphold the law.

Watch the videos and answer the questions:

Join the Army

  • Why have the Army, Navy and RAF been working so hard to promote equality and diversity?
  • Why would the uniformed services benefit from this approach?

Diversity in the Police

  • Should the police and other services represent a cross-section of the population?
  • What are the benefits of diversity when policing in the community?

Resources

Meet your Teachers

  • Jess Hornsby

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Your Learning Space

Learning Space 1 Learning Space 2 *This is a representation of your learning space and may not be the exact room you will be using

I would say it’s a college that really balances academia with fun, there is lots of extra-curricular stuff that you can get involved in. It has a really good work/life balance.

Laura Hagedorn, A Level student

I overcame a couple of barriers by working really hard to get the top grades. My experience was really good, with the course and the lecturers, the residentials and activities, together it was all really good. I had really great teaching support, I could always go to the lecturers and speak to them if I needed to.

David Stenning, Public Services student

My experience at the college was enjoyable and productive, with thoroughly helpful people surrounding you, an excellent experience. I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was, with the work shop time and experience I had, it was a great two years preparing me for the next stage.

Edward Smith, BTEC student