Holly Whitford-Hughes
Study Type: School Leaver Vocational
Study Location: Broomfield Hall
Subject Studied: Public Services and Security
PCSO Holly so glad she chose Broomfield uniformed services course
PCSO Holly Whitford-Hughes loves working with the police and is keen to pass on her experience to current students taking her course at Derby College.
Holly, who is 22, did the Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services and describes her time at Broomfield Hall as ‘the best two years of my life.’
Based in Littleover, she’s been a PCSO – a Police Community Support Officer – for the past 18 months and is now waiting for her start date to progress onto police constable.
Although Holly relishes police work, it’s not something she’d ever set out to do. She originally wanted to be a teacher and joined her school sixth form during Covid but dropped out after a year.
Holly said: “Sixth form wasn’t for me. Exams aren’t my thing and I wanted to go out to work. I enrolled on the level 3 course at Broomfield and just fell in love with it. It was the best two years of my life.
“I was with such a great group of people and made lifelong friends. I also loved the freedom we had at College – something I’d not had in sixth form – and our tutors were great; so helpful.”
Holly liked the whole course but especially enjoyed the focus on physical fitness as it’s benefited her since joining the force.
She added: “Obviously being at college and learning about policing isn’t the same as doing the job for real but it gave me knowledge I needed to do my job. I’m the first in my family to go into the police.
“They’re proud of me although my mum worries about me sometimes. She likes me to call her when I’ve finished a late shift.”
Holly is among several former students who gives up her time to return to College and talk to current level 3 learners.
She said: “College open days are a great idea. Last time I was at one I helped one of the students with his PCSO application and he’s now found out he’s been successful.
“He liked being able to talk to someone who had done the same course but is already in the job.”
I enrolled on the level 3 course at Broomfield and just fell in love with it. It was the best two years of my life. I was with such a great group of people and made lifelong friends. I also loved the freedom we had at College – something I’d not had in sixth form – and our tutors were great; so helpful.