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Public Services Courses

public services students in a field
Getting Ahead

Public Services Level 2 & 3 Courses at Alton Campus

Are you starting Level 2 or 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 – Gettingahead-publicanduniformedservicesac@hsdc.ac.uk

public services student taking part in an activity

Let’s take a tour of the Houses of Parliament together by clicking here.  Complete this table along the way.

Why is there a Post  Office in the Central  Lobby? In the Central Lobby, why were  Grilles put on the  windows? (hint,lookup) In the House of Commons Chamber, sit in the  Speaker’s Chair.  What is the Speaker’s job? In the House of Commons Chamber, what is the Table of the House?
In the House of Lords, who sits on the Woolsack? In the House of Lords, why is there a Throne? In the House of Lords, what does  the Statue of the 18  Barons represent? What happens in the Royal Gallery?
What happens in the Robing Room? What happened in  St Stephens Hall in 1812? Go to the foot of the  steps in Westminster Hall,  did you know that  directly below the  plaques on the floor is where Guy Fawkes hid the gunpowder! When was the New  Palace Yard built?

Watch this Youtube clip and answer these questions as you go. 

  • How does the British Army develop leadership?  
  • Why is it critical that Officer Cadets are able to analyse a problem and implement a workable plan? 
  • What would test you as a person at Sandhurst? 

It is important that everyone is treated equally and fairly in the UK. This is summaries by Fundamental British Values. Watch this brief video and answer the following questions.

  • How do the police ensure that mutual respect and tolerance is maintained during protests in the UK?
  • Britain is governed by democracy, what does this mean?
  • What happens when members of the armed forces break the law, what is the special name given to their court?
  • Uniforms in the services are often adapted to cater for people’s individual liberties, provide an image of this.

All uniformed services have a physical entry requirement. Here is a training  programme for the Royal Navy. You should research the fitness testing requirements  for a few services. What tests are required for your preferred or chosen service?  Write them below. Are you fit enough? 

Research the fitness testing requirements to join and stay in the following services 

  • Royal Marines, Army 
  • Police Force, Fire Brigade 
  • Paramedics, Prison Officers 

The primary components of fitness are 

  • Muscular endurance 
  • Flexibility 
  • Aerobic endurance 
  • Strength 
  • Agility 
  • Speed 
  • Power 

Which of these components of fitness are the primary focus or most important to  each ‘service’? 

Why do you think that is? Clue: does a Fire Officer need to be able to run 1.5 miles in 12 minutes (aerobic endurance)? Consider the workloads and activities of those in  the respective force or service.

Resources

Meet your Teachers

  • Image of Teacher Grant Gallacher

    Grant Gallacher (grant.gallacher@alton.hsdc.ac.uk)

  • Image of Public Services lecturer Stu Page

    Stu Page

  • Jess Hornsby

  • Kirsty Harley

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Your Learning Space

*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’m very, very happy, I didn’t expect to do so well. The College has been helpful and supportive. I loved my courses, and the teachers were really good – every single one of them. The facilities are great, but it’s the staff that really make this place.

Matthew Randell, A Level student

I’m really happy and pleased with my grades. I really loved my time at the college, I have also made lots of friends, it’s a really nice place to be, I don’t want to leave.

Lauren Piper, A Level student