A-levels or BTEC? DD wanting to join police force

[JufusMum]

Hi all,

just looking for some advice.
DD year 10 looking to join police force or border control (drug squad). We have always looked at a Psychology/Sociology/RE (because she loves it) A-level combo but having heard of the Public Services BTEC I wonder whether this would suit her better?

She intends to go to Uni, but as the first year of the 100% new spec GCSE's grades may be lower than hoped - and I understand the jump from GCSE to A-level is vast.

Predicted an 8 in RE, a couple of 7's and the rest 5's and 6's.

I would sugggest a degree in criminology, law or policing.
A few universities offer policing including this one www.northampton.ac.uk/study/courses/policing-ba/?agg=DMF&nst=0&PTR=Google&ch=PPC&WXZ=NB_UK_Generic_Course-Spec_Social_Sciences_b&gclid=COvrl7HoutQCFcG37QodF2UGbA

Of course they do not guarantee a post as a police officer but they would give a broad education.

Sorry posted too soon.

A Levels are better the BTEC in Uniformed Services is more based on armed forces. I would suggest a broader A Level selection that can be used should she not gain a place in the police forces. All new Police Officers will be required to complete/hold a degree.

Ime Public Services level 3 tends not to attract those aiming for uni.

I don't know who your local force is, but where I live, the police would happily talk to people who want to join in the future. Would she be interested in joining Police Cadets? It might give her more ideas of which direction to go.
UKBF might be able to help too.

To be honest, you don't need qualifications to join either but a degree may mean she can do fast track promotion.

And its totally off thread but make sure she keeps her fitness up as there are tests to pass to join the police.

Thanks all, she has successfully gained a weeks work experience with our local police force on the last week of term this year, she's mega excited.

We have looked at cadets but its hard to get in in our area. Only 50 places with 30 offered to looked after children and another 10 to ethnic minorities, plus would mean she would have to give up her dancing which she is incredibly passionate about (danced since the age of 3, trains 15 hours a week, competes and all friends at dance, very few friends at school, has a pretty miserable time there).

Fitness not an issue due to dance, but just worried she might find A-levels a struggle as she is more a B-C student than an A-A*.

I'd look at another BTEC. The Uniformed services one isn't anywhere near academic enough for university study.

The police are going to be offering degree Apprenticeships (in expectation of it being a graduate profession) in the next year or two so keep an eye out.

She can apply to more than one college / sixth form so can apply for different courses. She doesn't have to decide which offer to accept until she has her GCSE results.

One of her considerations when weighing up A level versus BTEC is how she handles exams. My DD struggles hugely with anxiety and hates exams. She chose 2 BTECs and 1 A level and is coming to the end of Y12. She knows that she has messed up the AS level exam (old style, so counts towards the A level), but has got Distinction* in both BTECs (highest grade). If she could go back in time, she would choose 3 BTECs or do one BTEC extended diploma (equivalent to 3 A levels). Some good advice above too.