What have you been doing since you left Archer Academy?

Since leaving Archer Academy I attended City and Islington College and completed a Btec Level 3 extended diploma in uniformed protective services and managed to achieve D*D*D* which I was very happy about. Following this I decided very late on that I would like to go to university, I have just completed my first year of the Professional policing degree at Sheffield Hallam University.

How did you get into what you are doing now?          

I always wanted to have some role in the uniformed services mostly in the police however I was never entirely sure exactly what I wanted. I was told about the uniformed protective services Btec so I applied for it and through the two years I discovered the different career paths I could go down and I decided I wanted to go down the policing route. I discovered that there was a degree in professional policing and the benefits that you gain from getting a degree in the police so I decided this was a good option.

How did Archer help to shape your post-school choices?

They helped me discover the career options through the different academic advisor meetings you have in Year 10 & 11 but most specifically it was Mr Gillo assistant head who told me about the uniformed protective services Btec.

What advice would you give a current Archer student about your chosen pathway?

I would say don’t feel pressured to go down the usual route that is talked about most, although A levels are good for some people and the partnership with Woodhouse College is good it’s not for everyone and it wasn’t for me. If you don’t like exams and perform better practically or in less pressured environments I would hugely recommend Btecs, as level 3s are equivalent to 3 A levels and you gain different skills that can be more valuable for specific jobs.

A favourite memory of life at Archer?

For me I would say that any of the Archer trips including the end of year trips such as PGL were always fun along with the many sporting events and fixtures I was lucky enough to take part in. However I would have to say that the ski trip I went on in Year 10 topped everything as it was a chance to get away and ski with your best mates for a week.