Alice Roberts
Job role: Student at Welbeck, The Defence Sixth Form College

Joined the RAF:

Overseas travel:

Career highlights:

• Arriving on my first day at the college – the main entrance has a fountain and flag display, it felt quite surreal!
• The summer camp at the end of my first year, the hill walking was great.

‘Before starting at Welbeck you chose which service you’d eventually like to join, I chose the RAF as I wanted the opportunity to work on fast jets. The application process is different for each service – I had to complete a four day course which included aptitude and basic engineering tests, individual and group exercises, fitness tests, two interviews and a medical check.

‘I’m in my second year, studying maths, physics and sports at A-level. I also study music as my enrichment subject. I have six lessons a day as well as p.e twice a week and a leadership lecture on Fridays. There’s also military training twice a week, things like weapons handling, navigation skills or leadership exercises and we have a monthly fitness test which can get quite competitive!

‘Welbeck is divided into five ‘houses’ and we often have house socials, usually a bowling or pizza evening. I’m the head of Nelson house so I’m responsible for keeping everything in order, making sure everyone keeps their rooms tidy, has a good standard of dress and keeps to the campus rules. There are 64 people in the house so it can be quite demanding; luckily I have a great team of prefects to help me out!

‘It sounds quite full-on but we have Saturday afternoons and Sundays to ourselves. There’s also a brilliant social scene here, most of us have similar interests so you make friends pretty quickly. We also have regular college socials where you can meet lots of people. Theme nights are often very popular!’

Web Chat session with Alice Roberts - Wednesday 3 March 2010

Heath: hi Alice - did you have to do an exam to get itno Welbeck?was it very hard?

Alice Roberts: You don't have any exam like a written exam. But you go through OASC (Officer and Air Crew Selection Course), which involves interviews, fitness tests, aptitude tests, and leadership. It is pretty nerve wracking - and I wouldn't say it was easy - you need to do a fair bit of preparation. And make sure you are up to date on current affairs and your fitness levels are high.

Paula88: Hi Alice I'm doing my GCSEs this Summer I'd really like to join the RAF one day does going to Welbeck help?

Alice Roberts: Going to Welbeck is part of joining the RAF. You pick the service you wish to join when you apply. You are then sponsored by them throughout university and A levels. You then progress to Officer training and have to complete a minimum of 3 years service. And that's pretty much it really. By having sponsorship it makes university easier. And you have a greater security of a job at the end of it.

Barberella: What do you see yourself within the RAF in the next 5 years?

Alice Roberts: I'll still be in Uni I think. Actually I'll be in initial officer training at RAF Cranwell, before finishing and going on to do specialist training as an Aero Engineer. Which focusses on maintaining aircraft and looking at possible future enhances that can be made to the aircraft to make them more suitable for the role.

Julianna: Hi Alice - How much free time do you get at Welbeck? Are the hours very intensive? Thanks!

Alice Roberts: Welbeck definitely doesn't have as much time as any civvy sixth form college. As you have a big stress put on physically, academically as well as learning the military skills needed. However, you do get Sunday's free and some afternoons. But if you're a keen sports player - some of these may be taken up. There is also free time from 9pm to 10.30pm each evening. Otherwise I'd get bored actually! And do so when I go home. Because you've not got your day planned out when you go home!

GJS22: Hi Alice, what role to you plann on applying for in the RAF, and how does Welbeck prepare you specifically for the job?

Alice Roberts: I have applied for an Engineering Officer - hoping to specialise in Aeronautical avionics. It's looking at the systems in the air craft, repairing and improving them. But as I am going for an Officer's position, it is more focussed on running a team of engineers and ensuring tasks are carried out on time and well done. Welbeck helps you prepare for this - as you have leadership exercises each week in Upper Sixth and you attend a leadership week in Lower Sixth. You also get positions within the college which helps prepare you for running a team.

Dr.Jekyl: Do you get time off? like at the holidays?

Alice Roberts: You have six day weeks. With Sunday's in college. However, every three weeks (roughly three weeks) you go home every weekend. And you have normal holidays off, such as summer and Easter. (So same civillian holiday's really). You can attend courses in these weeks, but it is entirely up to you. And no-one forces you to do the courses. I've done my gliding scholarship, my NPLQ (which is the lifegaurd course), the band 150 project (which is preparation for marching down the mall this summer). And I am hoping to complete my flying sholarship this summer.

ad: whats the best thing about welbeck and is it just for engineering officers?

Alice Roberts: Welbeck is predominantly for engineering officers, however, as of this year it is taking in Logistical officers. If you look on the Welbeck website I think there's a case study type thing on there - www.dsfc.ac.uk. However, if you are interested - you must get your application before the 1st April for this year's entry (plug plug!!!!)

Paul_817: How many places are available for the RAF section each year?

Alice Roberts: There are 35 places made up of 30 engineering places and 5 logistical places. So it's tough competition. I would advise a good knowledge of current affairs and just be yourself more than anything (coz they're not looking for an 'ideal' model as nobody is perfect!!! - They're looking for someone with the potential).

Jivan: can you go home each weekend to see your family or girlfreind/boyfreind?

Alice Roberts: You can't go home each weekend. However, you get the opportunity every three weeks which isn't so bad as you're so busy you don't notice how long you've been there. I'd had a previous boarding experience, however everyone's in the same boat. And most people haven't had the boarding experience. There are peer mentors in upper sixth who's role is to introduce you in to the college and gradually get you in to the routine. But they know what it's like as they've been in your shoes so it's not that bad!

Hollie: Was it differcult leaving home for you?

Alice Roberts: Personally, I'd had experience being away from home and had been on a number of camps before. However, some people find the first few weeks quite taxing as it is a completely new way of life. Lots of people stay in contact regularly throughout the first few weeks with family. However, you get that busy you don't always remember to call!!!!(Sorry!) The majority of people have never been away from home before. But love it once they get there and get in to the swing of things.

Danny Richmond: Can you go through your application process?

Alice Roberts: The application process is first of all giving your details to your local AFCO (careers office). And then invited for an interview to check you are eligible to apply. If this is all okay then you progress to the selection board. This is 4 days long and if for some reason you do not succeed on the first two days you can leave the process there. The first 2 days consist of your medical, your interview (which is the biggest part!!! Time to shine too though), and your aptitude tests which are based on verbal numerical and spacial reasoning as well as a bit of common sense. If you are successful, you then proceed to the second 2 days where you have group planning exercises, group discussions, indivdual planning, leadership tasks and your fitness tests (which I think it still includes the swimming tests? I think it does - I did that anyway). In terms of swimming you don't have to pass that, but it would look good if you could.

Jivan: does welbeck only take you in if you want to join the RAF in engineering? what about if i wanted to be a pilot would i still be accepted?

Alice Roberts: Welbeck only accepts engineering officers and logistical officers. You could also if you want to look on the raf careers website which has lots of info on other jobs and scholarships for them kind of thing - www.raf.mod.uk/careers (pilot info will be there too). So pilot would be on a different scheme not at Welbeck.

GeorgeMalcolm: Is there a ranking system within the students at welbeck?

Alice Roberts: Yes! There is a ranking system within the upper sixth, which is based on your lower sixth performance. There is a Head of College, and three Deputy's. And then there is a Head of House (of five houses) with a House prefect team within each one. The Head of House ensures the running of the house is smooth, and standards are kept. And this is achieved using the House prefect team which have specific roles. Such as - sports, housekeeping, socials etc. You are selected for your position by the staff based on your performances throughout lower sixth (so you don't get to pick it yourself).

Dr.Jekyl: what are the teachers and lecturers like?

Alice Roberts: The teachers at the college are pretty good. There is always staff covering most subjects available throughout the whole day. Even the evenings!! So even if you get stuck, there is always someone to go to. The upper sixth also help an awful lot if you are struggling, and are usually subject specific. When you get to college there's a rota of staff and because you must take physics and Maths - there is usually one of each on duty every night. The classes are quite different from the school I came from. As pretty much nobody disrupts the class or speaks out of turn. Meaning you can get an awful lot more done. And the class size is a lot smaller. It ranges - I've got 8 in one class and about 13 in another. Whereas at my old school I could have up to 32 in one class!

JazmaN: How are you finding life at Welbeck?

Alice Roberts: I really enjoy Welbeck! The actual social life and living with sixty other people in one house means there is always someone around. The facilities are beyond anything I've ever come across (Half a million pound rugby pitches!) However, it's long hard working days which can be both physically and mentally demanding. And so you have to be up for a challenge and working hard. You make friends at the college which you will then go to Uni too and have for the rest of your life.

GJS22: whats the tri-service competition like at Welbeck? good fun? or quite intense?

Alice Roberts: If you mean the inter-service rivalry - there is definitely some banter! And obviously I think the RAF is the best one! However, it's actually a Quad service college - as we take in Civil service (Known as DesG) and I think they get the most banter. Because they don't have to pass a fitness test! It's definitely not intense and it's all friendly.

gbarratt: what do your fitness levels need to be like ?

Alice Roberts: For your application - you could really do with having a good level of fitness. You take the bleep test (running between two points to the sound of a bleep which decreases in duration). You get a score from how far you get. I think it's around 8 for girls and 9 for boys. As the score increases the intensity of the run gets harder (ie the time between beeps get shorter). I managed to get 11.2 so with a bit of training you'll all be fine! When you get to college fitness is definitely a big part. As you have to pass a PFT (Personal fitness test). Which includes - press-ups, sit-ups, and a run. Females must do this in 13 minutes, and Males - in 10.30 minutes. We do have major sport twice a week - you have a pt (physical training) lesson. So it's in the curriculum. The SMI (Sgt Major Instructor) is on site who - well WHO MAKES those who can't pass - pass! (In a nice way!)

Paula88: Why did u choose the RAF over the Army or Navy? Is your mum or dad in the forces? My dad was in the Navy

Alice Roberts: I chose the RAF as I was an Air cadet before. And had not considered the Army. And had not done much research in to the Navy either. Therefore for Welbeck my best chance was the RAF. And after visiting a number of bases for work experience I decided it was the force I wanted to go in. I have no parents in the forces or links. It was my own decision just backed up by my parents. I think they knew I was going to go for it anyway! As I was always keen on aircraft and every time I went on holiday as a child asked what plane we were going on!

Dr.Jekyl: What are the dorms like? do you have to share a room? is it communal?

Alice Roberts: In lower sixth you have a 3 person room. With a bathroom between you. This gets swapped around so you meet new people at the beginning of the year. (As a way of getting the year group together). Then you get to choose your room and stick with it for the year. In upper sixth you get a single room with your own bathroom - which is great as the workload is a lot bigger. And go for Head of House (as you get a balcony!! YEAH!) It's a bigger room with a balcony, with double doors!

Heath: Wow...do you actually get to fly planes then?! Have you got to go in a fast jet yet?

Alice Roberts: With the RAF - you get chances to go flying and complete AEF (Air Experience flight) you can also apply for gliding, flying scholarships and I am currently applying for a PPL scholarship (Private Pilots licence) with RAFA (Royal Air Force assocation). However, it is not a college for pilots. They're just experiences you can apply for.

Flight Sergeant Bassan: what rank did you reach as an air cadet?

Alice Roberts: I reached Flight Sgt - staff cadet. However, you do not need to have previous experience to apply to the college. Many don't have cadet experience. And this can sometimes proove to be advantage. As you are sometimes used to certain routines or dril (well it's kind of drill) whereas, it's different at the college. For example we do Army drill not RAF drill. There's not that much difference. And when you are in the RAF they teach you from scratch on that.

Paul Wilson: What is the best thing and the worst thing about Welbeck?

Alice Roberts: Best thing is..... (apart from the balcony!) the people you live with. As they are always there and will be there for you in later life as well. You really do rely on eachother especially if things get pretty stressful. The worst thing? I would say the worst thing is..... the chance you can't take - well it's very hard to take exams in music. It becomes your hobby rather than - something formal. Hopefully music will pick up within the college. It's mainly the exams in music I'm finding hard. We don't have many musicians so it's a bit hard to get like groups of musicians together or form bands. But the lessons are free so go for as many as you can!

Paula88: Thanks Alice, I really like playing hockey and swimming. what sports can you do at Welbeck?

Alice Roberts: There are loads of sports going on and if you can't find one to do - you can set one up with enough support. some examples are swimming, rowing, netball, cross country, sailing, and of course rugby (which is a major part of Welbeck - with six teams). We have also done very well in the rugby as we reached the semi finals of the Daily Mail Vase - which is pretty good going as they've only been training together for six months.

Flight Sergeant Bassan: how long is the regular studying day? as in what time to you wake up and when are you meant to go to sleep?

Alice Roberts: Day is from 7am 'till 10.30pm. Lessons run 'till 3 - with sport or military etc running 'till dinner. Then prep for 2 hours in the evening - though 'till 9pm. Then it's your own time unitl 10.30pm. So a pretty long day. But well worth it.

Alice Roberts: Thank you for all the questions you have sent in - hope I have answered some of them!!!! And best of luck for any of you applying!

Views expressed during the web chats are those of individuals and do not necessarily reflect RAF policy.