SUSSEX DOWNS

COLLEGESIXTH FORM GUIDE

www.sussexdowns.ac .uk

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Sussex Downs College is one of the best and largest further education colleges in the county. We have been praised by Ofsted, have excellent facilities, students achieve excellent results every year and have won numerous awards.

We pride ourselves on creating a specifically tailored and supportive learning environment for every student. Each learner will be supported by a Personal Tutor through whom you can achieve your academic and personal goals.

We also have a wide range of enrichment activities on offer. Student success is celebrated at course level with students of the week and poster display of good performance.

WELCOMEtoSussexDownsCollege Sussex Downs College has three sixth

form colleges based at Eastbourne and Lewes: Eastbourne Vocational College (EVoC), Park College and Lewes 6th Form College, each with its own character. Each of these has a Head who is responsible for all of the students within that College, and each Head is supported closely by Wayne Wright, Executive Director of Business Development and Dr John Blake, the Principal and Chief Executive.

Students can study a broad range of courses at the level and qualification that suits their ability. At both sites we have fantastic facilities to help hone your skills. Catering and Hair and Beauty students have professional kitchens and salons with the opportunity to work with real clients on a daily basis.

We, at the College, are committed to providing centres of excellence in education and training, extending to lifelong learning. Sussex Downs College offers over 750 qualifications ranging from entry level to Higher Education.

For information on all courses at the College please visit www.sussexdowns.ac.uk

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COLLEGEPark College

WELCOMEtoSussexDownsCollege If you want a hands-on, vocational course, then EVoC

is the college for you. There are opportunities to gain practical experience and to earn as you learn.

Gain real life work experience as • you studyLecturers have industry experience• Opportunities to compete at national • competitions

Park College is a college based at Eastbourne where students achieve results consistently above the national average.Our staff have the expertise to guide you through to university.The College offers a mixture of A Level College and vocational courses all with excellent teaching.

Small, community feel• Students valued as individuals• Lots of student enrichment activities•

Lewes 6th Form offers excellence in a range of vocational and academic courses. The wide choice of subjects means that we can find a programme that suits each learner well. We have a culture of hard work and high achievement together with the professional support which allows our students to enjoy as well as to achieve on their courses.

Long established reputation for performing arts, • with a purpose built Performing Arts Centre.Specialist sporting programmes, competitions • and enrichments High rates of progression to University and • further training

The Sixth Forms at Sussex Downs College

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Eastbourne Vocational College provides the next step in gaining the skills and qualifications needed to progress to employment or further and higher education.

We have a wide range of vocational courses to suit the needs of students at all levels of ability, each designed to develop the skills and knowledge required for successful progression into employment or further study. These include diplomas that we are at the forefront of developing and delivering as well as a wide range of work-based and day-release apprenticeship programmes. Many of our students have progressed onto university accredited higher level courses, either at university or here at Sussex Downs College.

We aim to support each student to reach their own potential by providing excellence in teaching andlearning. Our high quality staff have many years of industry experience before they became teachers and teach in industry standard workshops, salons, kitchens and restaurants.

Our vocational course results continue to be some of the best in East Sussex and we have an outstanding reputation with employers, awarding bodies, university partners and Ofsted which has led to high demand for places on our programmes.

Students from EVoC were recognised for their high skill levels through many awards and competitions. We have had national and regional award winners in Catering, Hair and Beauty, Motor Vehicle and Body Repair, Construction and Electrical.

What our students say about EVoC:

“It is a very good college for expanding your creative skills. It equips you well for the preparation to go onto university or higher education.” Georges Dupree, BTEC National Diploma

“There is a great range of courses to choose from. My lecturers have guided me into full time employment as well as into a national catering competition.”- Sammie Dale, Hospitality and Supervision

“I plan to work for myself when I finish. As an apprentice I study for a qualification, but also earn some money in the trade.” - James Tate, Bricklaying apprentice

Course Categories

Art, Design and Media

Catering and Hospitality

Construction and the Built Environment

Engineering and Technology

Foundation Courses

Hairdressing, Beauty and Complementary Therapies

Information Technology

Travel and Tourism

For full course details visit

www.sussexdowns.ac.uk/eastbourne

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As part of a large, modern and successful college, Park College students benefit from the wider range of resources, which a large college can attract.

With a community of around 1800 students and staff, Park College, along with the rest of the sixth forms, are small enough for students to feel that they belong, and feel valued as individuals.

Making the move from school to college is a big step but our strong, student centred community will offer you lots of support throughout your time with us.

We have many enrichment activities on offer, which vary from year to year. For example, some activities that have been on offer include the debating club, beginner’s languages, creative writing, various types of sports, pre-driver training and many more. We end the year with an Activities Week. The purpose is to enhance your CV, try something different or learn something new.

We hope that when you come to Park College you will work hard to get good qualifications but we also want you to experience a way of life and learning that you will value for the rest of your life.

The Student Union plays an important role in the running of the College and is an example of the excellent relations that exist between staff and students at Park College. We want to maintain the ethos of mutual respect, positive encouragement and participation within Park College and an atmosphere that is friendly and purposeful.

Sport is big part of the Park College curriculum- the Harlow Sports Centre is a specialist facility that includes three indoor tennis courts, two basketball,

volleyball, badminton and netball courts, football and rugby pitches, a floodlit Astroturf pitch along with competition standard athletics stadium. With more than 40 academic courses and a range of diploma courses now on offer all delivered with excellent teaching, Park College is a highly respected sixth form that is part of the Sussex Downs family.

What our students say about Park College:

“I’m having a great time at college! I am part of the Student Council, which means I get to play a part in the running of the college, and am also part of the jazz club which is a lot of fun. Joining a club is a great way of meeting new, and liked-minded people.” Heather Kemp, AS media, photography, English literature and language, musical theatre

“Park had a good reputation, offering great courses and a good social life at the same time – I also belong to the college football team with a future plans to study sports journalism at University.” Aaron Milligan, Physical Education, Psychology, Economics and English Language

Course CategoriesArt, Design, Media and E Media Business, Economics and Law Childcare and Health and Social Care Earth Sciences English and Communication Foundation Studies Humanities Languages Music Performing Arts Public Services Science and MathematicsSocial Sciences Sport /Sport Development

For full course details visit

www.sussexdowns.ac.uk/park

COLLEGEPark College

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Lewes 6th Form College is a successful place to study, learn and achieve. It is a college with a culture of learning that offers an excellent range of courses allowing students to select a programme that suits each learner well.

We offer traditional A Levels, new Diplomas, GCSEs as well as vocational and skills courses at a number of levels and students choose us because of our good teaching, results and retention record plus the friendly environment.

Students at Lewes benefit from a wide range of opportunities and resources that a large modern college attracts, whilst maintaining the ambience of a smaller, friendly college that values each of its students as individuals. We support our students to enjoy their college experience at the same time as aiming high and achieving well.

Students can take part in a variety of sports, fund-raising and social and cultural activities that make Lewes 6th Form College a real community.The Student Union is both an example of active student participation in college matters and also represents the excellent staff and student relations here at Lewes 6th Form College. An elected Student Governor attends meetings to share the students’ view points with the Sussex Downs Corporation members. Students appreciate the positive atmosphere of mutual respect. Studying at college can be a big step but at Lewes 6th Form College we have a focused, student centred approach to our learners so you can be sure that we will give you plenty of support and encouragement throughout your time with us. We expect our students to

work hard to accomplish good qualifications but we also want you to gain from and enjoy a learning community that you will value. Our teachers are here to guide you through your course and to help you to progress to university, training or employment so that you attain the qualifications and skills to achieve your own career goals.

What our students say about Lewes 6th Form College:

“Lewes is like a mini university campus, it has a warm and friendly environment that makes the step up to A level less daunting. But do keep on top of your workload. There’s plenty of help on site, super facilities like the library, but you are given the responsibility for your own studies.” Jonathan Bauckham, English language and literature, early modern history, music A2 level, pre-professional music diploma

Course CategoriesBusiness, Economics and Law Childcare and Health & Social Care Earth Sciences English and Communication Foundation Learning GCSE Plus Programme Hairdressing and Beauty Therapies Hospitality Humanities Information TechnologyLanguages Media and I-Media MusicPerforming Arts Politics, Philosophy and Religious StudiesPublic Services Science and Mathematics Social Sciences Sport Sport Development Travel and Tourism Visual ArtsFor full course details visit

www.sussexdowns.ac.uk/lewes

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ENRICHMENT

There is more to life than just studying. We have

been praised for the range of opportunities for our

students to enrich their college experience. The

range of enrichment activities varies from year

to year. You can take part in a variety of sports,

fundraising, social and cultural activities.

The Student Council is both an example of active

student participation in college matters and also

represents the excellent staff and student relations

here at Sussex Downs College. The elected Student

Council gives all students a voice on how the college

is run. Two elected Student Governors (one from the

Lewes campus and one from the Eastbourne campus)

attend meetings to share the students’ view points

with the Sussex Downs Corporation members.

Sussex Downs College has been praised for its

sporting courses and facilities. We are fortunate

to be part of the Sports Park partnership with

Eastbourne Borough Council. This fantastic facility

has opened up all kinds of opportunities for students

who are interested in sport.

We also run sports development programmes for

those who have already shown an ability to excel

and/or demonstrate the necessary commitment and

potential.

EVERY STUDENT MATTERSEvery Student Matters is a cross-college initiative to protect young people, promote their wellbeing and support them to develop their full potential. Sussex Downs College is committed to this and provides services and facilities that underline the five themes of Every Student Matters:

1) Being healthy2) Staying safe3) Enjoying and achieving4) Making a positive contribution5) Achieving economic well-being

These key themes have been identified by the young people themselves and come from Every Child Matters agenda initiated by the Government in 2004 and taken forward through schools and other educational bodies ever since. The young people themselves through consultation have identified the five themes.

The College prides itself on the welfare of the students it is important that you feel safe, are safe and achieve success.

Sussex Downs College promotes these key themes through all aspects of its teaching andtutorial support, as well as through enrichment and information, advice and guidance to provide a high quality learning experience that also prepares young

people for the future.

Every Student MattersSUSSEX DOWNS COLLEGE

Why Ofsted says we’re ‘Outstanding’

The education regulator recently inspected Sussex Downs College and found us to be one of the best and most high achieving colleges in the area.

Ofsted says:

Students enjoy their learning •

and achieve well

Success rates on A Levels are high •

with a large proportion at A or B

Practical and workplace skills are •

well developed

Thereisanexcellentandflexible•

curriculum

Students succeed in many national •

competitions

Support and guidance for students •

are good

Leadership and management are •

outstanding

The extent to which the college •

meets the needs and interests of

students is outstanding.

Why Sussex Downs College is ‘Outstanding’

We hope that we have given you an insight into Sussex Downs College. If you would like detailed information come to one of our open evenings, visit our website www.sussexdowns.ac.uk or call to arrange a tour on 01323 637637.

How to find us

Lewes 6th Form CollegeSussex Downs College1 Mountfield RoadLewes,East SussexBN7 2XH, UK01273 483188

Parking at the college is very limited and Mountfield Road can become congested when a high volume of cars travel to the campus. It is advisable to use public transport if possible. Lewes station is less than a ten minute walk from the college and trains to Brighton and surrounding areas run frequently. For further information on train times and routes visit, www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 08457 48 49 50.

Eastbourne Vocational CollegeSussex Downs CollegeCross Levels WayEastbourneEast SussexBN21 2UF, UK 01323 637637

Park CollegeKings DriveEastbourneEast SussexBN21 2UN 01323 637111

Parking at the college is very limited and it is advisable to use public transport if possible. Hampden Park station is less than a fifiteen minute walk from the college and trains to Brighton and surrounding areas run frequently. For further information on train times and routes visit, www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 08457 48 49 50.