100 in 100 Apprenticeship Celebration Event

100 in 100 Apprenticeship Celebration Event

The Eastbourne 100 in 100 campaign successfully came to an end at Eastbourne Town Hall recently.

Stephen Lloyd MP said: "I am profoundly grateful to every employer here, we achieved 181 sign ups one of highest in country.

 "My thanks to all the learning providers including Sussex Downs College.  They help support employers during the process and manage the training of the apprentice.” 

Over 100 people attended the event including Principal Melanie Hunt and Jo Fowler Head of Skills and Employability and the Employer Training Team. 

Top placing for International College

The International College at Sussex Downs Collage have been listed as the highest further education accredited centre in the UK in the EL (English Language) Gazette’s centre of excellence directory based on recent British Council inspections.

Mark Allen, International Manager said: “The British Council come every four years to look at all aspects of our international language work.  Sussex Downs College is at the very top of UK colleges in this table of excellence."

East Sussex derives considerable economic benefits from overseas students. The international students at Sussex Downs College study on a range of courses including English Language, IELTS (international English language testing system) preparation, CELTA (certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages), which also includes PTLLS (preparing to teach in the lifelong learning sector) as well as academic and vocational programmes.

With over 200 international students and more than 19 different nationalities studying in Lewes and Eastbourne, Sussex Downs offers a world class education for international students.

Dream comes true for former student

Jessamin Landamore to perform in The Royal Opera production of Faust.

When Jessamin Landamore was swotting for her dance, maths, music and theatre studies exams at Sussex Downs College in Mountfield Road, Lewes little did she imagine that within a few years she would be appearing onstage beside international opera star Angela Gheorghiu at The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

But now the former Priory School pupil, who hails from Talbot Terrace in The Pells, is to perform with The Royal Opera in David McVicar’s lavish production of Gounod’s Faust, choreographed by Michael Keegan-Dolan.

The 24-year-old dancer and singer is no stranger to opera, having studied under Clare Whistler with Glyndebourne Youth Opera Group and appeared in Euroculture’s touring production to France of King Arthur co-produced by her voice coach, Lewes-based singer and choral director John Hancorn.

It was while Jessamin was gaining pre-professional diplomas in musical performance and voice from East Sussex Academy of Music that she first began to realise what she wanted to do for a living.

The former schools athlete is also an accredited Fit for Sport coach, and was a member of an elite Sporting Giants rowing squad training for the 2012 Olympics before signing her first professional dance contract while still a student.

Her career so far has included dancing in a palazzo in Italy, modelling for an Italian Vogue photo-shoot, teaching in Sri Lanka, singing in a Moulin Rouge-style cabaret, choreographing at a European arts festival in the Auvergne and dancing on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral for the Olympic handover ceremony.

Gounod’s Faust is performed at the The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on September 18, 21, 24, 26, 28 and October 1, 4, 7, 10.   

Box Office: 020 7304 4000.

Eastbourne rising star highly commended at top retail awards

An outstanding retail management apprentice from Eastbourne is celebrating after being commended as part of the Skillsmart Retail Apprentice of the Year.

Abbey Fenton, who works at the Funky Viking independent children’s shoe shop in the town, was recognised at the Skillsmart Retail Rising Stars Awards, run by Retail Week, held at London’s glitzy Grosvenor House Hotel on Thursday 8 September and attended by top names from the retail sector.

The 18-year-old triumphed over stiff competition at the award ceremony and was presented with her award by Ryman Chairman and Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis.

Abbey, a previous Cavendish School pupil and Park College student, is undertaking a level 3 NVQ in Retail Management which she started last September with Sussex Downs College.

Theo said: “Being highly commended in the Apprentice of the Year award is a massive achievement. The competition was of a very high standard and Abbey is a great example of the drive, commitment, enthusiasm and sheer passion required to make it in retail.

“Abbey shows every sign of becoming one of tomorrow’s retail leaders and I look forward to seeing her develop her career in what I believe to be the most dynamic and exciting industry.”

Abbey said: “This has been a great night and being highly commended feels fantastic, it’s great to have my hard work recognised. I really love working for an independent and feel my contributions are valued and make a real difference. We’re hoping to expand in the next year and I want to put my new skills to good use and take on more responsibility.



If you would like to know more about apprenticeships and how Sussex Downs College can help you either as an employer or as a potential apprentice contact one of our skills advisers on 0845 2302 007 or email Employertraining@sussexdowns.ac.uk

College helps Friston Ward at Eastbourne DGH

Each year Sussex Downs College holds a celebration evening for its 14-16 learners with the balloons from the event taken the next day to the children’s ward at Eastbourne District General Hospital.

Esther Blaney, 14-16 Programme Coordinator from the college, heard from staff this year that whilst the balloons were very much welcomed, they were in need of educational toys.

Esther took up the challenge and contacted the Chief Executive of Mothercare. She was delighted when she was contacted by Mothercare confirming they would make a donation of £200 to the DGH Friston Ward to help towards the purchase of the items required.

Carolyn Pederson, Friston Ward Sister said: “We want to send our thanks to Esther at Sussex Downs College and Mothercare for this generous donation which we have put to good use and will be enjoyed by the children for years to come.”

Free tuition fees for adults looking for work

If you are unemployed and need skills and training to get back to work, you may get free tuition fees, if you are in receipt of one or more of these benefits:

              ·         Job Seekers Allowance

·         Employment Support Allowance

·         Council Tax Benefit

·         Housing Benefit

·         Working Tax Credit (as a dependant only)

·         Income Support

Or you are an unwaged dependant of someone receiving these benefits, you may also be eligible for free tuition fees.

You will need to declare that your course is relevant to you finding work and provide proof of your benefits when you enrol. However, you will still need to pay exam and registration fees. This tuition offer does not apply to adult leisure courses.

For enrolment, information and advice call Eastbourne/Lewes 08452 601 608 or Newhaven 01273 511400.

For further information click here