The Good And The Bad

The Good

I began my training as a Volunteer Police Officer in October 2007 which condensed everything imaginable to be competent as a Police Officer into an 18 day course. A mammoth amount of learning commenced and the teaching was second to none. All of the trainers / instructors were serving police offers of various ranks and all were giving up their weekends on top of their full time jobs. It was obvious they thoroughly enjoyed working hard to bring out the best in the trainees; ensuring the right attitude was nurtured and the knowledge retained to the highest standard. A great deal of the teaching was presented in an easily understandable, inspirational, interesting and enjoyable format; one which has helped me obtain life skills I doubt i could get in any other way.

The Bad

I decided at the age of 23 to return to full time education after working full time backstage in theatre since I was 19. I went to a Musical Theatre School in London where the course was open to 16yrs plus. The majority were 16 so i was seen as a "mature" student. I only stayed a year out of three, partly because of the incredible cost of the course - which i paid for myself - but my mind was made up after continually being treated and feeling like a 16 year old who's parents had paid for and pushed their son/daughter into the school against their will. I only felt like an individual in the occasional one to one classes. In the group classes, I felt like i was on a conveyor belt of kids who were not allowed freedom and certainly were never treated like young adults.

Simon Finer