This BTEC Level 2 Public Services study programme is designed for students with mid-level GCSE grades (3-4) who did not achieve English or Maths at grade 4 or above.
Your study pathway will focus on the achievement and development of maths or English skills while covering concepts of leadership and security within the Public Services. This programme has the option of a further year's study at this level to ensure the achievement of GCSE English or Maths, but students should aim to progress to the Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Public Services.
Students will need to be focused on the completion of their skills programme in order to advance to higher level qualifications and to open up greater chances of employment. In both practical and theoretical settings, you will study what the Public Services can offer and where the employment growth markets are within the sector.
Students on this course are expected to engage in supporting a range of community and regional events. This will mean that weekends will often be part of the academic timetable in order to fulfil work experience placements.
We expect students to have enthusiasm for helping the community and a commitment to improving their academic and vocational skills in order to progress to higher levels of study.
You will build a portfolio based around evidence generated by the various assessment methods in each unit. You are expected to work on multiple assessments at any one time. You will be assessed through practical demonstrations, logbooks and performance records, written reports and essays, presentations, workbooks, discussions and vivas.
Maths and English will be assessed through a series of final exams.
You will benefit from having your own tablet or laptop to develop your assignment work.
There are no additional costs. However, should you wish, you may apply for a European work experience placement which in previous years has cost in the region of £250.
Students are expected to wear black tops (t-shirts, jumpers, hoodies etc) when in class and when representing the department during community projects. Students are free to wear what they choose on their lower half, providing it is suitable for the activity being undertaken.
There are DCG-branded options to purchase should students wish to do so. However, this is not mandatory: we merely expect compliance with our colour code.
For applicants from outside the region or who travel over distance, the College has residential accommodation if required.
Viewers of Channel Four’s British Army Girls may well remember former recruit Krystal Treadwell. The ex-Derby College Public Services student was among a group of raw recruits filmed doing their basic training at the army’s Pirbright training centre in Surrey. And as Krystal herself readily admits she had her fair share of share of ups and downs during what was a very demanding 14 weeks.
The fly-on-the-wall documentary, aired in April, gave a fascinating insight into what is expected of the recruits as they prepare to pass out – and what it takes to become a British Army soldier. Now an army chef, Krystal, who is from Chaddesden, took further army training after Pirbright and is now preparing to go on a six week tour of duty to Africa – her first overseas tour.
And, although she found initial training hard going at times, she is pleased she took the Public Services course at Broomfield before joining up. She especially enjoyed the map reading part of her course, which involved training at Drum Hill near Derby. Krystal found that already having had some navigational experience helped her on army exercises. She said...
I’m glad I went to Derby College as it set me up nicely for going in the army. The Public Services course is good for your fitness when you’re getting ready to go into the armed forces and all the volunteering you do at college looks great on your CV.