Public Services: Uniformed Protective Services Level 3 Full-time (FPUB)

If you’re interested in joining one of the uniformed public services, such as the Police Force, Ambulance Service, Fire and Rescue Service, British Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force, this Extended Diploma in Public Services will prepare you for the mental and physical demands of life in the services.

The programme consists of a combination of lectures, practical activities, oral presentations, tutorials, individual research and group work. Speakers from other relevant organisations will also visit classes. As part of the course you will be expected to undertake a range of outdoor activities, including visits to various public services, e.g. Army, RAF and the Magistrates Court. You will also take part in expeditions which may involve overnight stays.

In addition to general class work, you will be expected to use a range of textbooks for research purposes, as well as the IT facilities in the Learning Resource Centre. You will also have the opportunity to obtain additional qualifications and take part in sport enrichment activities.

Course themes:

• Criminal investigation procedures and tactics
• Police powers and the law
• Planning and responding to emergency
• incidents and security threats
• Custodial care
• Behaviour and discipline in the protective services
• Government and the protective services

Assessment will occur continually throughout the programme. You will have unit assignments to complete and will be assessed on your group and individual work. You will also have time-constrained assignments, as well as oral presentations. Each individual unit and the full award are graded at Pass, Merit or Distinction level.

• You will require five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including GCSE English, together with a good school report
• Alternatively, you will have successfully completed the NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Uniformed Services with a merit/distinction profile
• You will also be required to complete a favourable interview
• In addition, you should have a good general standard of health. Most chronic conditions (e.g. asthma, epilepsy) would prevent an individual from successfully applying for many of the Public Services courses

All Sport and Public Services students will be expected to wear a Barnsley Sports Academy (BSA) hooded top* and polo shirt*, along with dark tracksuit bottoms and sports trainers. During practical sessions, kit will consist of a Barnsley Sports Academy t-shirt*, dark shorts and sports trainers. Non-regulation clothing/footwear is not permitted. Students will also require ring-binders, writing materials, paper/stationery and core textbooks. Public Services students will also require outdoor activity clothing, such as walking boots and waterproof clothing. Barnsley Sports Academy clothing marked with an asterisk(*) can be purchased from the Sports Centre Reception.

On completion of this programme you can progress onto Higher Education or alternatively apply for a career in any of the Public Services. This includes the Police Service, Ambulance Service, Fire and Rescue Service, Army, RAF, Royal Navy, Customs and Excise or Prison Service. Your Extended Diploma, with a majority of Units at Merit or Distinction level, could qualify you for Officer Entry.