North Hertfordshire College’s Supported Studies, Pathways, and Work Progressions groups were joined by PC1985 William Sutton from Norfolk Constabulary for a session about how the police work!
The session was designed to support our learners in understanding the roles and responsibilities of police officers, the roles that are available within the police service, and how to stay safe. During his visit, PC1985 shared information about his role as a police officer and the different progression routes that are available within the force. The students were provided with information on how to stay safe, numbers they can call, and were given lots of opportunities to interact and ask questions. There was even a quiz to see how much they knew already!
The interactive elements didn’t stop there, either. Our learners had a chance to explore the equipment used by the police such as vests, radios, hi-vis jackets, helmets, hats, and handcuffs. The students particularly enjoyed trying out the kit and wearing the equipment to get hands-on with what they learned about. With the students feeling more comfortable with William they were then able to talk informally and ask further questions to find out more.
Susu Hopkins, one of NHC’s Pathways students, feels like she has benefitted from the session. She told us: “Before meeting William, I felt very nervous about meeting a police officer. Now I have done it, I am absolutely fine and not worried anymore. I’m glad I did it.”
PC1985 William Sutton also valued his experience of working with our students. He said: “It was a really enjoyable day that the students seemed to equally appreciate. It was an excellent opportunity to take down some of the barriers between young people and the police, offering some guidance and reassurance around keeping safe online and in our communities.”
A key part of the Supported Studies curriculum is highlighting the importance of the Rule of Law, Prevent, British Values, and keeping safe. By welcoming a serving police officer into our classrooms, Course Team Leader James Sutton aimed to bring the learning to life and help students put a friendly face to the attributes they’ve learnt about. This was also helped by the fact that PC William Sutton is James’ son, a connection which James hoped would put our learners more at ease.
James told us: “I particularly wanted the session to emphasise that the police are available to help and protect people and not just catch people who are doing wrong. Having a very positive relationship with the students in the Supported Studies department, I wanted to use the familial connection [through inviting his son] to lessen some of the anxieties and worries that some students may experience when meeting someone in authority to make it easier for them to ask questions.
“Some of our students have never met a police officer, associate them with being in trouble or have a negative perception of them based on previous experiences. By organising this visit, we have changed those perceptions for the better and shifted opinions. I would like to extend a massive thank you to the Norfolk Constabulary for facilitating this exciting opportunity to collaborate in support of our Supported Studies students.”
Kiera Bellchambers, one of our Work Progressions students, agrees that this connection helped her when it came to approaching the session. She said: “I was a little worried about meeting a police officer, partly because I have previously met police officers who did not seem very friendly. I trust my course team leader and knowing that William is his son really helped. I felt comfortable and was able to ask lots of questions so now I feel better.”
To find out more about North Hertfordshire College’s Supported Studies department, be sure to check out our Supported Studies showcase page!