The National Extended Certificate is designed to prepare students for employment in public service roles and Higher Education. Modules cover a broad range of topics, subjects, and activities; our course caters for those who leave school looking to get into the emergency services or armed forces.
Delving into a varied mixture of theoretical tasks and practical activities, you will gain an understanding of a range of public service sectors as well as the effects these sectors have on our society.
- Citizenship and Diversity
- Behaviour and Discipline
- Teamwork, Leadership and Communication
- Expedition Skills
- Government and the Protective Services
- Physical Preparation, Health, and Wellbeing
- Introduction to Criminology
- Police Powers and the Law
Much of the time will be in the classroom learning a variety of subjects relating to the public services. However, you will also be active in attending outdoor recreation centres, participating in a range of sports, land-based and water-based activities.
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Uniformed Protective Services (Year One). BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services (Year Two).
To pass this course you will complete assignments throughout the year. Assignments will include project work, training sessions, essays and reports, role-plays and practical fitness and teamwork sessions. There will also be an exam for one unit in year one and one in year two.
Places are offered by interview and attendance of induction and enrolment.
4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, ideally including Maths and English Language. If Maths or English is not achieved, then one of these can be retaken during the first year.
Students are required to wear a uniform; information will be given on this once your place has been confirmed on the course. You will be expected to attend residential trips during the autumn term and various other day trips throughout the year, To ensure that students attend these necessary excursions there will be a fee of approx £200* (for students that do not meet the criteria for student finance support).
After completing the Level 3 course, you can progress onto a higher-level qualification at university depending on your final grade and equivalent UCAS points. Solihull College & University Centre offers a HNC/HND in Public Services and Policing. You can also progress onto your Top Up Degree Year with us, Pathway in Policing.
Applications for the Police Service, Fire Service, Prison Service and Armed Forces.
N/A for 16 to 18 Year Olds
Senior police officers plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the resources and activities of a specific geographical or functional area of generalised or specialised police work.
Workers in this unit group co-ordinate and participate in fire fighting activities, provide emergency services in the event of accidents or bomb alerts, and advise on fire prevention.
Police officers (Sergeant and below) co-ordinate and undertake the investigation of crimes, patrol public areas, arrest offenders and suspects and enforce law and order. Officers of the British Transport Police operate within the specialised police service for the railway network across Britain.
Officers in armed forces serve as commissioned officers in Her Majesty's armed forces, foreign and Commonwealth armed forces; plan, direct, organise and administer military operations; and perform duties for which there is no civilian equivalent.
Coastguards monitor maritime conditions and undertake search and rescue operations.
Immigration Officers establish that persons entering and leaving the UK have necessary authorisation for crossing national borders.
Ship and hovercraft officers command and navigate ships and other craft, co-ordinate the activities of officers and deck and engine room ratings, operate and maintain communications equipment on board ship and undertake minor repairs to engines, boilers and other mechanical and electrical equipment.
Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) support the local police force by patrolling the streets to provide a visible and reassuring presence and to tackle a range of crime and disorder problems. PCSOs are also attached to the British Transport Police who operate the specialised police service for the railway network across Britain.
Prison Governors plan, organise, direct, and co-ordinate the activities and resources necessary for the running of a prison, remand or detention centre.
Prison service officers (below Principal Officer) direct, co-ordinate and participate in guarding inmates and maintaining discipline in prisons and other detention centres.
Probation officers work to rehabilitate offenders. They supervise, counsel and help them before trial, during any prison or community sentence and on release from prison.
Workers in this unit group protect merchandise, individuals, hotels, offices, factories, public grounds and private estates from injury, theft or damage, and investigate fraud and crime on a non-statutory basis.