Work towards a Sussex Down diploma

The 14-19 diplomas are designed to recognise achievement by combining practical skill development with theoretical and technical understanding and knowledge.

The diplomas will give more choice to young people by offering different ways of learning. For the employers, they are a credible and industry verified qualification. They provide a high quality academic and work-relevant qualification rolled into one.

The diplomas will be offered to all qualified students aged 14 years or over who apply to Sussex Downs College from September 2009. In addition, they will be offered to students in Key Stage 4 in partnership with schools in Eastbourne and the Weald. In these cases, delivery may be partly based at the school and partly at Eastbourne Vocational College (EVoC).

The courses available in Eastbourne include:

Business Administration and Finance

Creative and Media (including Performing and Visual Arts)

Hair and Beauty

Hospitality and Catering

Information Technology

Society, Health and Development

Engineering

Broadly speaking, the diplomas are offered at three levels.

Level 1 Foundation Diploma will be comparable to four or five D-G GCSE grades.

Level 2 Higher Diploma comparable to six or seven A* GCSE grades

Level 3 Advanced Diploma broadly comparable to three A levels.

For example, students on a Level 3 qualification, which leads either to higher education or straight into work, will gain a good understanding of the industry in which they are interested, including relevant skills and knowledge of how the industry works.

Employers' organisations have taken the lead in developing this aspect of the diplomas and have geared each diploma to meet the needs of the future.

Students can also add to this Principal Study, either more specialised skills in the relevant area, or other qualifications, such as AS or A Levels - perhaps in quite different subjects - to broaden their education.

Students at all levels will develop their functional skills in English, maths and ICT including undertaking extended project work. Achieving functional skills in all three areas through the Diploma will give students a well rounded education.

For more information please contact 01323 637637 or email:[email protected]