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Sport, Military & Emergency Services

The sport, military & emergency services courses at Warrington & Vale Royal College are fun, fast-paced and highly active. Our sport courses are suitable for those who have a genuine interest in developing their understanding of sport, health, fitness and leisure whilst enhancing their skills further.

With various sports qualifications to choose from, our BTEC sport & physical exercise courses are great for school leavers, whilst our fitness instructing courses are suitable for adult learners. Our military & emergency services courses are ideal for individuals who want to make a real difference to society and are looking to pursue a career in the bluelight and/or public services.

We have courses suitable for both school leavers and higher education students. Thanks to our link with the University of Chester, HND Public Services students are offered direct entry on to the university's Policing, Law and Investigation Level 6 top-up programme, subject to entry criteria.

Trips and visits

Trips and visits are an important component of our sport, military & emergency services courses courses. Designed to test your limits and build up your resilience and teamwork skills, trips tend to be based around sporting and outdoor pursuits. Previous students have visited Low Mill Outdoor Centre to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Award, taken part in conflict management training with the police at Lea Green, and taken on challenges at an Army Reserves Unit.

Sport students have recently visited Manchester Velodrome, Sheffield Institute of Sport and various universities. They also lead primary school sporting activities across the town, organising and officiating football and inclusive events.

I am

16-18 Years Old

If you are an active and energetic person who enjoys motivating and helping others, a sports or public services course could be the right pathway for you. They are designed to provide you with all of the practical skills and underpinning knowledge required to achieve employment in these rewarding sectors. Starting from Level 2 Sport or Level 3 Sport & Physical Activity which is great for students looking for a Sports Coaching course, ranging all the way to higher education, where students can go on to study university level sport courses, with our HND Sports & Exercise Sciences or our HND Public Services Courses!

I am an

Adult Learner

Our adult courses are a great way to gain a sports qualification. From part-time personal training and fitness courses through to full-time sport & exercise science HE courses.

While some courses are suitable for beginners, a selection of the courses will require students to already have a relevant qualification. Whether you are looking for a career change or are already working within the industry and want to boost your skills, our sport, military & emergency services courses will equip you with all the knowledge you need to achieve your goals.

Thanks to our new link with the University of Chester, our HND Public Services students will be offered direct entry on to the University of Chester’s Policing, Law and Investigation Level 6 top-up degree programme, subject to entry criteria.

I am a

Higher Education Learner

Our HNC and HND sports and public services courses help students prepare for their next steps, whether they intend to head straight into employment or continue their study at university. Building upon your prior knowledge, these courses will expand your understanding of the sport and public services sector and lead you towards a specialised career.

Thanks to our new link with the University of Chester, our HND Public Services students will be offered direct entry on to the University of Chester’s Policing, Law and Investigation Level 6 top-up degree programme, subject to entry criteria.

Meet our students

Joe Bullock

Joe Bullock, current Warrington & Vale Royal College student, has a hugely successful sporting career as a professional rugby league player. Joe, who has completed his HNC and HND Sport & Exercise Science qualifications at the college, is now enrolled on our Level 3 Personal Training course as he wanted to learn what it takes to be a personal trainer and deliver sessions.

On his time at the college, Joe said: “The best aspect has been the flexible learning and high-quality teaching from friendly tutors.”

Emily Fairclough

My friends who are at other colleges say they don't get the same level of support. If I’m struggling with an assignment, tutors are happy to sit down with us and explain what to do without doing the work for us. I know full well that if I hadn’t come to this college, I wouldn’t have had the same support.”

Emily Fairclough has progressed from our level 3 course onto the HNC Sport & Exercise Science course, and credits the tutors for their unrivalled support.

Emily has ambitions of going to university after completing the course to train to become a PE teacher.

Josh Rowland
The best aspect of my course is getting to learn in a hands-on way. We also get involved with lots of exciting charity events and fundraising.”

HNC Public Services student Josh Rowland has always enjoyed helping others and was keen to pursue a career within the public services sector. Josh, former student of Winsford Academy, used to be in the air cadets, and loves being very active and getting outdoors. In the future, Josh would like to complete his HND and then train to teach public services. He is currently helping his tutors teach the younger year groups, which provides him with valuable practical experience.

Louis Liptrott
I’ve really enjoyed my time here. My tutors have encouraged me to get involved with basketball and they help me with my coursework. I’ve also been given some great opportunities, such as being offered to complete a refereeing course whilst studying.”

Alongside his course, Level 3 Sport student Louis Liptrott is completing a prestigious Diploma in Sporting Excellence by British Wheelchair Basketball, the governing body of the sport. Louis has enjoyed incredible success in the sport, including representing the North West in the National Junior Championships.

Meet our tutors

Matt Bold

Matt Bold

Matt Bold is Curriculum Manager for Sport and Public Services, and has over 20 years' experience in the industry.

Matt has worked as head of faculty, head of sixth form and assistant principal in schools across the North West. Matt says: "It is an immense pleasure to watch our students progress from studying with us onto rewarding careers. It's great seeing the students become inspired to make a positive impact."

Debbie Brooke Thumb

Debbie Brooke

Debbie Brooke, a former police constable for Greater Manchester Police, is the college’s expert Military & Emergency Services tutor with over 15 years of teaching experience.

“Being able to have a positive impact on students and how they learn by constantly reinforcing and recognising their achievements is the best thing about my job. I support them throughout their entire journey, watching them grow and gain confidence in themselves and their abilities so that they are able to achieve their dreams.”

Chris Percival

Chris Percival

Sport, Military & Emergency Services Tutor Chris Percival began his career by coaching children at a local club and achieving FA Level 1 and Level 2 in Coaching Football as well as The FA Level 3 in Coaching Football. He then went on to achieve a degree in Sports Coaching from the University of Central Lancaster, before undertaking his PGCE.

Alongside university, Chris coached primary school children as part of Manchester City Football Club’s ‘City in the Community’ project. He also gained coaching experience at Burnley FC Academy and Wigan Athletic FC. In addition, Chris worked for Opta Sports as a Performance Analyst, analysing professional rugby matches. Chris also co-founded a football coaching business, CC Football Academy, coaching football to over-5s in the local area.

Chris began teaching to share his experience and motivate young people to develop their skills. Chris says the best part of teaching is, “nurturing and supporting students to achieve their goals.”

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