Police Officer- English qualification

Arsenal2019

Hi guys,

I have applied for the greater Manchester police and have passed all my interviews until now and I have my last interview in three weeks time.

I have been told to bring my GCSE English C+ or equivelant.

Problem. I do not have a gcse c+ or equivalent, I only have a D grade.

However, I have been and passed university last year and graduated with a second class.

Would you say I would get rejected as I do not have an English qualification or equivalent, baring in mind I have graduated from university and have passed all the written / numerical test throughout the lengthy application process.

If I had to reset my GCSE or functional skills, does anyone know how much this would cost, just for the exam.

*NOTE*. You may be wondering why I didn't know know I had a D.
I completely forgot as i left school 5+ years ago and I have been to university (Course requires a C+ or equivalent).

Thank you

gettingtheresometime

If the course requires a C or higher grade how did you get on the course with a D?

happyandcontented

GCSE English/Maths are always a prerequisite for jobs in public service/civil service etc. They may possibly waive the requirement, but having a degree does not negate GCSE's.

The structure of the English GCSE is now such that without being taught it you would be very unlikely to pass. There are set skills/techniques needed and you do need to know what approach to take for what question.

I must also point out that 'baring' is not the correct spelling, nor is 'reset' so written English doesn't appear to be your strongest suit!

Arsenal2019

Thanks for the reply. Also, they were typos.

Ivrytwr3

Richardroberts1 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Also, they were typos.

"Sorry, your Honour, they were typos".

There's a reason why there is a minimum entrance standard.

Also you 'forgot' you only got a D?

I think having passed Uni, you will have an understanding of the English language/subject, however, i do not think the Police would waiver this requirement.

I did an IGCSE a few years ago and it cost me £80 for a week intense course and then the exam. I very much doubt you will have the qualification within 3 weeks though

antrobus

Richardroberts1 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Also, they were typos.

Police work involves filling in a lot of forms. Typos might have serious consequences. .

PasturesNew

Richardroberts1 wrote: »

... baring in mind ...

While posting a serious question, you were thinking of nudity?

The trouble is, English is important as typos can make the difference between being easily shown and proven innocent.... or hanging for a typo.

2 years after a typo, if questioned in court whether you meant you were thinking about nude people or not, could you answer with honesty that you weren't and that it was a typo? It can make a mockery of the trustworthiness of your evidence.

Language, commas, spelling .... can be twisted to mean entirely different things if they're written wrongly.

I helped my uncle, Jack, off a horse.
I helped my uncle Jack off a horse.

One of the above is probably illegal.

JReacher1

PasturesNew wrote: »

While posting a serious question, you were thinking of nudity?

The trouble is, English is important as typos can make the difference between being easily shown and proven innocent.... or hanging for a typo.

2 years after a typo, if questioned in court whether you meant you were thinking about nude people or not, could you answer with honesty that you weren't and that it was a typo? It can make a mockery of the trustworthiness of your evidence.

Language, commas, spelling .... can be twisted to mean entirely different things if they're written wrongly.

I helped my uncle, Jack, off a horse.
I helped my uncle Jack off a horse.

One of the above is probably illegal.

Technically because you have spelt Jack with a capital J that makes it a noun not a verb. Therefore the second sentence is not illegal it is instead nonsensical

PasturesNew

JReacher1 wrote: »

Technically because you have spelt Jack with a capital J that makes it a noun not a verb. Therefore the second sentence is not illegal it is instead nonsensical

You are entirely correct - and it's usually a spoken "joke", or not over-analysed; however, it does demonstrate how written English accuracy is important. A trial or pre-court meeting could be derailed by what's written down .... and go off at a tangent, like we've done here .... simply by somebody querying what's written down by an officer.

JReacher1

PasturesNew wrote: »

You are entirely correct - and it's usually a spoken "joke" - but it does demonstrate how written English accuracy is important. A trial or pre-court meeting could be derailed by what's written down .... and go off at a tangent, like we've done here .... simply by somebody querying what's written down by an officer.

Although I agree about the importance of English, I do think it is slightly unfair to insinuate that because the OP did not take care with a post on an Internet forum that makes his level of English unsuitable to be a police officer.

It has been many years since I did my GCSE English but I cannot imagine there is much difference in English ability from someone who got a D as opposed to a C.

Alter_ego

JReacher1 wrote: »

Although I agree about the importance of English, I do think it is slightly unfair to insinuate that because the OP did not take care with a post on an Internet forum that makes his level of English unsuitable to be a police officer.

It has been many years since I did my GCSE English but I cannot imagine there is much difference in English ability from someone who got a D as opposed to a C.

So should the requirement be D? Then of course there's not much difference from an E.