Jack studied A Level 3D Design at Varndean Sixth Form College, alongside A Levels in Geography and Early Modern History,  He went on to follow a degree in Product & Furniture Design at Plymouth University.

In July 2024, Jack won the Pewter Live 2024 Student Competition for his Pewter point pencil, inspired by metal point drawing, and which was exhibited at the V&A Museum, London.  He recently returned to Varndean to showcase the pencil and talk to our current students about university life and his design journey since leaving Varndean.

Jack said about his award-winning entry, “My design is a pencil made from one solid piece of pewter. I discovered that pewter has the ability to make marks just like a piece of graphite, and as far as I can tell, this function of pewter has never been explored in its nearly 4000-year history!  What sets it apart is the way that you can write with any part of it, you can create fine lines, bold lines, calligraphy lines, rubbings etc. all with one pencil – which makes it a very versatile tool”.

Jack says: “I chose Varndean Sixth Form College because not only was it a very welcoming college with an excellent academic record, but it was one of the few colleges to offer 3D Design at A Level.  Through studying 3D Design, I was given the skills and equipment to create a wide variety of projects and developed my work through sketches and models.  During my time at Varndean, I was also Joint President of the Student Union which also entailed being a Student Governor, something for which I was very proud of.”

I went to the University of East Anglia (UEA) to study English Literature and Creative Writing and after graduating I went on to do my Masters degree in Musical Theatre (writing pathway) at Goldsmiths University of London

At UEA, I joined the Pantomime Society, designing three productions, stage managing two, and serving on the committee as a representative for the backstage crew. I also designed Pippin for the UEA Drama and Musical Theatre Society, and was a founding member of the Norwich-based sketch group The Earlham Bus Incident. I contributed a chapter to a novel written and published as part of a 24-hour writing challenge, began reviewing for UK Theatre Network, and took part in the Norwich & Norfolk Festival podcast project where I was trained by the BBC in oral history interviewing.

After moving to London, I progressed my theatre reviewing, writing for West End Best Friend and Matinee Mouse. I currently write for Curtain Call Reviews, Adventures in Theatreland, and Nerdy Up North. As a reviewer, I attend and critique productions, create social content, support PR activity, network with industry professionals, and cover backstage and red carpet events.

Alongside my journalism and production work, I began writing a musical during my Master’s, which received a public workshop at Goldsmiths in February 2025. I have since continued developing the piece in the hope of getting  it staged one day.

Megan says: “Varndean was the most supportive environment and my time there was the happiest time of my life so far. They gave me the confidence to seek out inclusive environments and to not let anyone limit me due to my disability. They fostered a love of learning that I still have. They genuinely believed in me and took the time to accommodate for my specific needs, which helped me advocate for myself and helped me find ways of learning that work for me. They helped me build resilience, which is essential for surviving and thriving in any kind of theatre environment.”

After completing my A Levels in 2021 I took a gap year to make up for lost time during the Covid-19 pandemic. I then went to Lancaster University for my Psychology BSc where I got involved in the charity sector by running Lancaster Nightline and winning the Lancaster University Student Society of The Year (2025). Following this interest in the charity sector I am now studying global mental health (a relatively new field that was created in the early 2010s combining psychology, politics and epidemiology) with the goal of returning to Lancaster for a PhD in Health Research. I am hoping to continue working in the non-governmental sector and eventually create my own organisation promoting harm reduction for illicit drug use.

Katerina says: “Sadly, I did not get to spend as much time at Varndean as I would have liked due to our studies being largely interrupted by Covid-19. However, many of my teachers inspired me to follow a career in the sciences and make the most of any opportunity to engage with the extracurricular activities that I missed out on at college. I miss studying in Brighton a lot and wish I could redo those years without a pandemic!”

Olive gained a First class BSc top- up degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, and a foundation degree in Animal Behaviour and Conservation.
She won the award for top dissertation at her university with her work on pelican behaviour. She works as an Animal Care Assistant at a rescue centre, and has spent 3 months working at a rhino conservation reserve in South Africa and spent time volunteering at a vulture sanctuary and in wildlife rescue.

Olive says: “Varndean College was a great place to study, the teachers supported me throughout and helped me build important valuable skills which I have taken with me in my career journey. I would really recommend my combination of A levels at Varndean College if you are interested in going into any career in the natural world/ with animals as they allowed me build science knowledge surrounding the living world through biology and geography, with art complimenting this nicely and allowing creativity in my learning.”

After college, Olivia worked part-time in various retail roles whilst studying towards a criminology degree at university. She achieved a bronze employability award and is on track to achieve silver. She is also currently volunteering with the charity Reach Out where she volunteers as a mentor for school children.

Olivia says: “I loved my time at Varndean College. The campus itself is lovely and so are the teaching staff. The environment of the campus reflects this, Varndean never felt uncomfortable and was always inclusive of anyone and everyone.

I genuinely believe I wouldn’t be on the path I am without the support I received throughout my A levels. Each of my teachers assisted me through personal issues and made sure I was able to continue studying to the best of my abilities.

I hope that after my degree, I will attend a two year conversion course to become a clinical mental health social worker. After this I will have an undergraduate, postgraduate and masters degree.

Varndean helped me to see more of the importance of both care and genuine support. As well as how vital it is to individual growth both socially and academically.

I would strongly recommend Varndean to anyone who wants a step towards independence whilst still having constant support if you need it.”

Getting a place at Laban was a huge achievement for Florence, having already studied there from the age of fifteen (as part of the centre for advanced training programme).

She describes her time on the degree as a life highlight, describing it as extremely hard and testing at times but beyond rewarding. She felt constantly inspired, motivated and pushed to her limits, and was surrounded by like-minded people, interesting and creative people. She met other dancers, musicians and theatre students that influenced her and shaped her to who she is now. She performed numerous times in the Laban theatre in Commissioned works by renowned choreographers, in student choreographies, and has collaborated with classical and Jazz musicians and toured choreographic work with her dance company.

She has auditioned for London Fashion week shows, danced for Candoco and Jean Abreu Dance company and worked collectively on mixed media projects.

Florence says: “Studying at Varndean opened up my awareness to the arts and how they arts can change the world. My dance tutor at Varndean specifically inspired me to think about how dance can be a way to express own desires for change as well as inspiring a collective change.

Varndean College was a real time of growth for me. I was sixteen when I first began my time there and left when I was eighteen in the middle of the covid pandemic. A time I feel my growth and change was sped up due to personal and global forces. I feel proud of my younger self for working so hard and following what I love.

Varndean was the perfect place for me to study and motivated me to continue my career in the arts. Varndean opened up my perspectives on art and dance and allowed me to see it as a tool for change and expression, rather than just aesthetics. On a personal level, I always felt very supported at Varndean and the tutors and staff always made me feel as though I had something to say and give.”

After graduating from Varndean College, Katie took a gap year and then enrolled into medical school in london. During her time there. She figured she wanted to pursue a career in which she could have a more personalised and positive approach to health care, one which she didnt feel she could achieve as a doctor due to pressure and the nature of the role.

She is now a midwifery student, and completing an intense placement and also in person teaching. she has found this degree to suit her and her passion much better than medicine and she looks forward to progressing in the role to become a consultant midwife.

Katie says: “I was lucky to have very supportive tutors, particularly in philosophy, who pushed me and helped me achieve the grades I needed.”

Since leaving Varndean College, Tilly attended the University of Bristol completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography. She graduated in 2023 with Second Class Honours (first division).

She started work in September 2023 on a new graduate scheme with the Environment Agency – the Environment and Science Graduate Training Scheme. She works in the Flood and Coastal Risk Management sector and is currently working on Habitat Creation and Restoration projects along the south coast.

Tilly says: “My two years at Varndean College gave me so many key skills and experiences which helped me at university and in my career. All the staff and students were incredibly kind, friendly and welcoming and I was always supported. I made most of my best friends at Varndean College and have really valuable memories there.”

After leaving Varndean College, India studied Architecture at the University of Brighton. She attributes much of her success to her time at Varndean College which provided India with many opportunities to nurture her personal growth and offered support to provide the confidence she needed to perform to her best in her chosen subjects.

India says: “I made life long friendships and built relationships with my teachers whom still to this day give me guidance and support. This was a big step for me as it has helped with my communication and interpersonal skills when collaborating with my fellow peers when discussing projects and engaging in discussions.

Varndean has exposed me to new ideas, perspectives and I have fostered a sense of open-mindedness and empathy. Additionally, it has also allowed me to step out of my comfort zone , to take on leadership roles and develop resilience in the face of academic and personal challenges. Without the help of Varndean College, I would’ve never believed in myself and with there help I’m still in my adventure of self discovery and growth and plan to take my next academic leap in architecture this year!”.

With the pandemic, I wasn’t very hopeful about my studies going the way I wanted them to, but I’m studying abroad for a full year at The University of Hong Kong. This wouldn’t have been possible without my degree, and I finally get to see family after COVID. The modules and environment provided at a university abroad are unmatched and it has been amazing working with local students and some from all over the world. This year has been an opportunity to delve into specific fields in law, allowing me time to understand which area I am interested in, preparing me for applications next year.

One thing I have noticed about IB is the incredible community I have found, not only at my home university, but even abroad in Hong Kong. When meeting another IB student, it is easy to bond over our shared experience, despite never having studied together before. Not only this, but the writing styles I was taught, as well as analysis skills, were easily transferable to my degree. I’m really thankful that I did the IB, not only for the workload, which eased me into degree level work, but also the many topics we covered which have rounded my knowledge, enabling me to converse easily with my peers, as well as participating in lectures and tutorials with confidence.

After overcoming years of adversity during his time at secondary school, Daniel came to Varndean College in 2016 after having been part home educated and part educated at Hove Park School. He initially studied A Levels in Computer Science, Physics and Maths, but after his first year dropped Maths and picked up A Level Economics instead. After originally wanting a career in Computer Science, thanks to the enthusiasm and inspiration given to him by his Economics tutors, Daniel discovered that this was where his real interest lay and decided he wanted to continue his studies in Economics instead.

Daniel says: “I am so thankful for the valuable time I spent at Varndean College; it was three years of my life which I hold very fond memories of. I owe a lot to my two Economics tutors, Alrik and Will, who gave me the inspiration to succeed and Jo, my Law tutor, who was an absolute joy to be taught by. I was proud to have achieved an A grade in my A Level Economics (only 1 mark off an A*) in 2019 and went on to study BA Economics at the University of Sheffield, graduating with a 2.1 in 2022. I continued to study at Sheffield for a MSc in Finance, having been awarded a year’s full scholarship.

In September 2023, I undertook a brief internship at West Hill Capital in London and then in January 2024 landed a role as an Analyst at Goldman Sachs in London, where I have been employed for the past two years.”

Nina was uncertain what career she wanted to pursue after college, but was on the lookout for something that involved both creativity and problem solving. She initially studied Architecture at university, but left due to financial reasons. She made the most of this opportunity to explore other opportunities and career paths. She eventually came across web development and decided to pursue a career in tech.

In 2021, she was awarded a fully-funded competitive Women in Tech scholarship for a coding bootcamp, where she learned the fundamentals of software development. She enjoyed using her design skills to build creative and functional websites. Within five months, she went from having no degree and relevant experience, to a full-time tech professional working for renowned tech companies including IBM.

She currently works as a Junior Software Engineer at the BBC where she is responsible for supporting a wide range of intranet sites and building web applications used across the BBC organisation.

Nina says: “While I got into the tech industry with an unconventional background, all my studies at Varndean College have helped me in my career and development. English Language helped me become a confident speaker which has been useful when engaging with senior stakeholders, while my creative subjects Graphic Design and Media Production really pushed me to embrace my passion for making things and explore other creative fields like UX/UI and web design.

I often look back at my time at Varndean and remember how supportive all my teachers were in both my academic growth and my personal well-being. Everyone genuinely cares about you and wants to see you succeed in life after college. I had a great experience studying at Varndean and I’m incredibly thankful for all the support I got from my teachers to achieve excellent grades and to pursue all my future goals and career ambitions.”

Jude Birch, who is currently studying Computer Science at the University of Sussex, took a year out to gain work experience before going on to university and was successful in being selected for a Programmer Intern with local computer games company Near Light in which he has helped to develop exciting new games.

Jude is no stranger to success, as in February 2018 was one of the winners in Google’s annual Code-In competition winning himself a trip for two people to San Francisco and Google’s Headquarters at Mountain View, California! An overall total of 3555 students from 78 countries took part in the competition. Later that year, Jude won The Argus’s Youth in Action ‘Innovator of the Year’ award sponsored by the i360 and then in the summer of 2019 was one of only 11 UK finalists in the British Academy of Film and Television Awards’ (BAFTA) nationwide competition to find the country’s best young game designers. Jude’s submission in the ‘15-18 years Game Making’ category was a futuristic adventure game called ‘Space Core’ using Unity.

Jude says: “I feel really lucky to have the opportunity to have gained an internship and worked on developing games. I was able to learn so much from my boss and co-workers. At the University of Sussex I’ve been developing more games in my spare time and am planning to submit one game for a university game development contest. I’ve also been participating in more programming competitions within uni and also against other universities.”

Anya says: “I chose to study at Varndean because of the strong Science department and the support offered for aspiring medicine applicants. I have always been interested in the sciences, so it was a natural progression for me to want to study medicine. I have enjoyed the diversity of teaching methods and the enthusiasm of the teaching staff in supporting us to succeed. I like the practical aspect of each of the sciences; the practicals are engaging and fun and support the theory. I have been on a Physics/Maths trip to CERN in Geneva, as well as the United Nations. I have also attended the Chemistry Conferences run by Varndean and Brighton University, taken part in two Chemistry analytical competitions run by the RSC, as well as the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge. Outside of college, I was recently awarded a seven year scholarship by The Army, which entailed interviews, physical ability tests and cognitive assessments. The scholarship provides me with funding for my final year at Varndean and throughout my entire six years medical degree. After this I intend to train as a military doctor in The Army.”

Anya-Niamh in 2018 was the recipient of a seven year bursary from The Army to help fund her studies to become a doctor in the armed forces. Anya-Niamh was also recently the winner of Uptree’s ‘Young Scientist of the Year’ Future Talent Award.

Megan came to Varndean College in 2016 having not achieved as high grades as she had hoped for in her GCSEs and feeling terrified for her future. However, she spent her first year on an intermediate course studying Level 2 Childcare, Travel & Tourism and retaking her Maths GCSE. This enabled her to attain the grades and experience required to progress onto an Advanced Level 3 course the following year.

She then studied the Level 3 CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education, which gave her a clearer indication of what she wanted to do in the future, realising that acquiring this diploma could lead her down so many different career paths. As part of the course, she also undertook two placements which gave her valuable experience and helped her achieve a position working in a special needs primary school. She has since gained additional qualifications in Makaton, first aid and other specific medical training.

Megan then went on to study for a BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies at the University of Chichester from 2020-23 and has now been accepted on to follow a Masters Degree in Criminology and Criminal Law at the University of Sussex from September.

Megan says: “I will be forever grateful for everything Varndean College did for me, especially my tutors Kim and Helen. The college was fantastic at supporting me, I developed so much throughout my three years at college and it really helped me discover what I wanted to do with my life. I am dyslexic and also have dyscalculia, which wasn’t diagnosed until my first year at university, but even before my diagnosis I received so much support from college. My tutors recognised I was struggling and providing me with that initial support is something I will be forever grateful for.”

Monica is currently studying Philosophy, Politics & Economics at King’s College, London having come to Varndean College from Blatchington Mill School to study the International Baccalaureate Diploma. In the summer of 2018, she became runner up in the Politics, IR and Economics category of the New College of Humanities’ essay writing competition, in which only 27 students were shortlisted out of 1,800 entries, and in 2019 gained a summer work experience placement working for and shadowing Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas.

Since leaving Varndean, Monica has continued to operate a Depop business which has subsequently led to her being hired by Sussex University to conduct a year-long research project. Her role has entailed researching the role of digital platforms in transforming youth employment opportunities in the UK where the report will be launched in Geneva by the International Organisation of Employers. She has also been elected Chair of the Renew Europe Group in a Model European Parliament, US delegate in a Model United Nations, as well as Minister of Finland in a KCL War Crisis simulation.

In 2020 Monica was also a winner in the NCS Democratic Voice competition, tackling youth loneliness during the pandemic, as well as volunteering for the 93% Club and Project Access that seek to tackle educational inequality in the UK.

Monica says: “The IB provides both breadth and depth into the disciplines offered and openly encourages individual thinking – the perfect stepping stone for university. I especially liked the idea of belonging to a cohort and I formed long-lasting connections as a result. I’d recommend taking a range of subjects to keep your options open: there is nothing more rewarding than cultivating an interdisciplinary mindset during your education. I also couldn’t emphasise more the importance of maintaining your mental health and wellbeing throughout your studies. After graduating from university I’m keen to enter the political sector, particularly in policy writing and implementation, hopefully as part of the Civil Service.”

After leaving Varndean, Molly worked as an Academic Notetaker, supporting students by providing them with lecture, seminar, and workshop notes.

In September 2024, Molly began her first full-time job at a school for children aged 14-16, who have Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (SEMH); this includes students also have SEND, particularly Autism and ADHD.

St George’s House is a brand-new school in Brighton that opened in 2024, offering plenty of opportunities for both professional and personal growth. Molly has recently started receiving regular mentoring sessions from a member of the Senior Leadership Team, which has been extremely helpful for her training, development, and wellbeing while at work.

Overall, Molly is feeling excited and optimistic about her future and where her career may take her.

Molly says: “I really enjoyed my time at Varndean and felt like I fitted in well. The teaching staff were always supportive, and I felt understood by the Additional Support staff. I think by being part of a welcoming, friendly and supportive environment, I was able to achieve my absolute best, at the time.

I recommend to any student who is choosing their A level subjects now, to keep your options open for as long as you can because it will be helpful in the future, especially if you are unsure about your career path. Also, consider the value of the subjects you choose, regarding workplace settings.”

Henry initially chose his subjects due to a strong interest in philosophy, debate, classical history, and literature, finding the subjects complementary to each other.

After completing his A Levels, Henry decided to pursue employment and began working part-time in the charity and public sector, including with the NHS. He then undertook an apprenticeship with East Sussex County Council as a Business Administrator. Henry then served as a Project Assistant with the Careers Hub, supporting careers education for young people across East Sussex.

Now working as a Project Officer for East Sussex County Council, Henry collaborates with local employers to help young people prepare for the world of work and raises awareness of career and training opportunities. He is in the process of completing a Level 4 apprenticeship in project management and aspires to progress further in project management, finance, or auditing in the near future.

Henry says: “My time at Varndean College helped me to overcome my anxiety and stress. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the skills and knowledge they taught me”.

Realising that I really enjoyed applying physics and engineering ideas to “biology” or medical science played a role in my applying for Bioengineering at Uni. I also chose Maths as I needed this if I wanted to be an engineer.

At Imperial College London my projects undertaken included designing omnidirectional treadmills for insects, developing web applications for research and building rowing training prosthesis for young congenital amputees. In the final year I am considering my options and plan to find a suitable job for a series of time and location constraints due to personal/family reasons.

Daniel says: “Make the most out of the two years you’re here – I cannot stress this enough! Make connections, talk to people around you, go out of your comfort zone, explore and try out new things – you’re at a great point in your youth. I regularly think back to my time there and I relish the lovely memories I’ve made. I even have a dedicated photo album to the stupid yet fun adventures I got myself into with mates I met at Varndean.”

I originally wanted to pursue a profession in the Sports Science Industry and have changed my studies since being at university. I play competitive football for my university where I received an athletic scholarship. I will be transferring this September to continue playing football at Western Michigan University where I will earn my Master’s degree in Finance Analytics.

Whilst at University I have been interning for a non-profit housing organisation in DC called the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and I also work as a research intern working with lots of data. The subjects I chose at Varndean was because I love sports and the data science behind it..

Thomas says: “While at Varndean I enjoyed Maths and it was definitely my favourite subject. Varndean provided a great opportunity to continue my athletic passions and be involved in a vibrant learning community creating the opportunity for me to continue my studies at University in America.”

Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (with Hons) and published my first autobiographical poetry book called Safehaven. Currently looking to get into Digital Marketing.

Vivian says: “I wanted to get into the world of writing and do something I was passionate about after college. Varndean really helped me discover who I am, as it was such an open and honest environment. I recommend it to everyone.”

After college I went straight into an employment course which assisted me to decide on which path to pursue. Following on that I joined an agency doing work in schools which I enjoy.

Chantelle says: “Varndean College was a great experience including a trip to New York for Geography and performing at the amazing Brighton Fringe Festival for my Performing Arts final exam. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I highly recommend taking this course if you are passionate about performance.”

I initially studied (A-Level) Mathematics, (A-Level) Physics and (BTEC) Video Game Development. The college supported me in finding the right courses for me, and I was invited to restart again. I picked up (A-Level) Psychology and restarted fresh. I ended up finishing with an A in Psychology, C in Physics, and a Pass in Video Games Development.

At Bangor University I am doing research that looks to reduce littering behaviour in the local mountains. I am on track to graduate with a distinction and am currently exploring various PhD opportunities. I am looking forward to a career of conducting psychological research and becoming a lecturer/professor of psychology.

Harry says: “I wouldn’t be where I am, without the patience and support Varndean College gave me.”

Jessica went on to study Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey after having come to Varndean Sixth Form College from Longhill High School. Jessica had always wanted to be a vet and as part of her application to study Veterinary Medicine, she had to complete many work experience placements. This included 24 hr emergency veterinary hospital, lambing and volunteering at a rescue centre. Her favourite placement was the lambing and her fondest memory was bringing twin lambs into the world. Jessica has a keen interest in farm animal medicine and this is a field she would now ideally like to specialise in. She is at her happiest blumbling about a field, lambing an ewe or milking a cow!

Jessica says: “I knew that Varndean would be my college choice from my first visit in Year 10 and I can honestly say I made the right choice. The environment at the college is one that is very supportive, which is derived from both students and staff. The support I received was invaluable, especially with my application to a very competitive degree. The staff genuinely want you to do well. I loved my time at Varndean and I must say, being at ‘vet school’ now is a little surreal. Without the support of my tutors, I would not be where I am today and for this, I will always be grateful.”

I chose those subjects at College because I knew I wanted to do a biological sciences/adjacent degree and also really enjoyed art. I went on to study BSc Sport Science at the University of Edinburgh. I’ve been on the Performance Sport programme for archery here since my first year, and I’ve also got 2 Scotland caps and a silver medal at the European Commonwealth Archery Championships in that time. I’m hoping to go into either sport governance and policy or health policy when I finish up my masters, and I’m also aiming to make the Scotland team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games if archery is included!

Fiji studied Philosophy, Spanish and English Literature at Varndean College, but since taking up a Law degree at the University of Surrey, has fallen in love with the legal industry and Law as a subject. She has spent the first two years of her degree consistently seeking methods to increase her exposure to a career in law and has already spent several days in chamber alongside barristers going in and out of court, a week in the London office of the Financial Conduct Authority, and has been exploring the legal community alongside her studies. She has even created her own legal blog to inspire and help out aspiring solicitors.

Fiji was offered the opportunity to become an ambassador of FirstGens, a scheme which supports and elevates students who are the first in their family to attend university, which has inspired her to not only work hard but also to help out others when she can.

She is currently midway through her placement year working at a commercial and corporate law firm in Sussex and is looking forward to the final year of her degree. After she graduates in 2022, she plans to go to law school to complete her Master of Law degree and Legal Practice Course and then hopes to work her way through training to qualify as a commercial and corporate solicitor.

Fiji says: “I joined Varndean after a year of feeling entirely lost career-wise, but I attribute a lot of my subsequent success to the college and my teachers during my time there. I studied English Literature, Philosophy and Spanish and you’d be surprised at how directly transferable many of the skills I learned in these subjects are to Law. Years 12 and 13 are pivotal for your future. It is not to say that you must know exactly what you wish your career to be, but it is important to study somewhere that will offer you guidance and support. My time at Varndean felt like the large push I needed to increase my confidence and maturity and this allowed me to seamlessly go on to university and build a clearer picture of who I wanted to be. Following the incredibly daunting results day and university application process, my life has taken leaps and bounds in directions I never thought possible.”

Assistant director at Sort Sol Theatre working on “Toska” and “Where have all our Women Gone” written by Lizzie Huskisson. I took a gap year between college and university which was really fulfilling and worthwhile. During that year I gained a distinction in Acting at Northbrook College and went interrailing around Europe and visited New York.

When I changed career paths from genetics to History I realised during college that studying genetics was not for me and followed my passion for history. Then while at University I took part in a directing scheme and fell in love with working with actors and directing theatre projects.

Lillian says: “Follow what you’re passionate about, not what our friends/parents/carers might want you to be doing because if you want to switch to a subject that you are actually interested in post-college then you may have had to study it at A-Level. Plus it is just more fun when you are genuinely interested in the subject – it makes the revising easier, trust me.”

I was always into drama and performing during school and it was something I wanted to take up as a career for a long time. I chose Maths because I enjoyed it at school and Law was something I had no experience in but seemed interesting at the open day.

Since leaving Varndean, I graduated at the University of Sheffield with first class honours in International and European Law. I then went on to do my Masters in commercial legal practice in which I achieved a distinction. Since September 2023, I’ve been training as a solicitor at an international law firm, A&O Shearman, and I am due to qualify as a solicitor September 2025.

It has been a challenging yet rewarding process and I couldn’t thank Varndean and my A Level Law teachers enough for inspiring me to become a lawyer.

Natalia says: “My advice to students choosing their A Levels: If you know you want to pursue a certain degree/career path then make sure you research what A Levels could aid you with that. But if you have no idea, then don’t worry! I had no idea about going to university or what I really wanted to do when I chose my A Levels, but I ended up finding my passion eventually. Just choose what you love and what you find interesting and you will do well.”

After leaving Varndean College I stuck to my role in retail and within a month was promoted to supervisor and took part in a retail management course afterwards up until November 2019.

At the end of 2019 heading into Covid time I was a skincare specialist which was not only customer service based but extended to coaching and educating new recruits. I continued this until recently.

In recruitment I’ve found myself working with fascinating individuals and felt rewarded once I’ve found them their ideal role.

Shannon says: “I would say to students: Do not be scared to make a change, it really can open doors to amazing opportunities. And absorb all the information that you receive.”

Graduated from Varndean in 2018. I had a keen interest in design in both buildings and sculptures. I now work for a Building Surveying consultancy and am working towards chartership status with the RICS.

I’m on my way to becoming a veterinary surgeon. I’ve chosen to pursue farm animal medicine as I love being outdoors in the fresh air and building working relationships with farmers. IB helped me in getting into university from the individualised and personalised support the teachers are able to offer due to smaller class sizes and fewer students on the course. IB gave me a lot of skills which helped me at university, the main one being my analytical writing skills learnt from completing the extended essay, as this project was a lot closer to the university style of writing compared with A-levels.

Charlotte says: “Varndean helped me reach university through encouraging independence and taking responsibility for my learning which is vital for university. A word to sum up Varndean college is creative!”

I went on to take a gap year and travel around South-East Asia.

I am currently exploring career options, and I am particularly interested in pursuing a career in healthcare management and improvement, either in the NHS itself or through Think Tanks and charity work.

I have just been accepted into the City, University of London to do a Masters degree in magazine journalism. I hope to go into this field of work once graduating!

Holly says: “In terms of advice for new students is to choose the subjects that make you happy don’t choose any to please anyone else because trust me you will enjoy learning about things so much more if it’s a subject you love and chose yourself!”

After leaving education I worked two primary jobs. Firstly as a support worker and the other as a receptionist at Sussex University.

Currently, I’m on the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP) course, training to be a probation officer. I plan to continue this course, qualify and practice as a probation officer for the foreseeable future.

Leyla says: “If it wasn’t for my law teacher at Varndean College (Jo Hambleton) I would not be on the path I’m on today. She advocated for me through difficult times and as a result, I’m now on a career path which I love and I feel confident about the future.”

At Varndean College I enjoyed all the subjects I chose and each subject involved essay writing which allowed me to develop transferable skills needed for university. I took a gap year in 2018/19 before completing my degree. I’m pursuing a career in Academic Philosophy and I’m currently studying in Munich. Next year I’ll be studying in London, Oxford or Sydney, and after that I plan to complete a PhD in the UK or US.

Leo says: “I would recommend picking A-Level subjects that complement one another. More importantly, though, pursue what you really enjoy and find interesting! I found Varndean College a warm and welcoming environment as well as an academically challenging and intellectually stimulating one. Students are really seen as human beings and supported to do well academically as well as in broader life. I had some great times at Varndean – particularly in the spring and summer when the fields and quads are lovely places to be.”

I studied Textile, Photography and Geography at Varndean College.

I absolutely loved the Textile and Photography courses.

I’m currently working as a graduate intern for the Design and Architecture School here at AUB. My role involves running workshops and assisting with tutorials and working within the Innovation Centre. I have exhibited work at Premier Vision in Paris, New Designers in London and was a finalist in the 2022 Hand and Lock Prize for Embroidery.

Facilities at Varndean allowed me to be very experimental with different analogue photography processes which I loved. After college I achieved a distinction in the Art Foundation course at MET in Brighton and then went on to AUB. Throughout the Textiles and Photography courses I would say creative freedom, self-expression and experimentation were all fabulously celebrated which allowed me to create work I’m still proud of and inspired by to this day. Varndean is a great college that supports and celebrates each student’s individuality. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have without their core values and teaching. I have lots of happy memories of my time there. Some advice for students that are unsure of what college or A Levels to choose.

Ruby says: “Do what you enjoy most and what excites you. The rest will follow.”

Since her time at Varndean College, Ollie has progressed to an exciting Illustration career. She is currently working for Jellycat as a Freelance Illustrator and Designer. In 2022, her work was featured in the New Designers Festival in London.

Varndean College provided Ollie with the opportunity to refine her creative process where she was able to explore various forms of Illustration, including Fine Art. Ollie believes that she was offered valuable resources during her time at Varndean; such as life drawing sessions, access to facilities like dark rooms and studio space, and ongoing support and guidance from teachers.

Ollie says: “Varndean College enabled me to really focus in on my creative process – whilst allowing me to not only explore Fine Art, but any relevant forms of Illustration. Varndean College helped set me up with the relevant skills needed to continue and pursue my creative career, starting with helping me move into an Art Foundation Degree the following year.”

After finishing Varndean I went to Brighton MET and completed the Photography Foundation course for 1 year. And then went onto taking a year out. I then went onto my BA Hons in Photography at UWE Bristol (University of the West of England) where I am currently in my third year.  My chosen career path is a photography technician. Alongside my degree I am completing a Level 3 award in Education and Training (RQF) to help me become a technician.

Sheena says: “Varndean is a creative college which allows you to meet other like minded people and work together on ideas and projects.”

Billie-Jo is currently working as a journalist for ITV News Channel based in Jersey, Channel Islands. Previously she worked with ITV News Meridian covering the South and South East of England.

Billie-Jo says: “Varndean College was fantastic and I am sure I developed lots of skills throughout my time there which help me in my job now. I particularly enjoyed Sociology as we touched on lots of important topics. These now help me to fulfil my role as a journalist when I am covering human interest stories.”

Kerim chose Maths at Varndean College because of his strong passion for the subject. During his time here, he actively participated in the Maths Challenge and progressed to the highly regarded Maths Olympiad, showcasing his ambition and academic drive. Alongside Maths, he pursued Physics, recognising its pivotal role in shaping his aspirations for a career in engineering. To complement his studies, Kerim selected 3D Design, fuelled by his love for creativity and making things.

After leaving Varndean, Graduated from Design Engineering at Imperial College, design engineering with a 2:1. Kerim has since developed a unique headfirst inclusive vehicle called the Swerv. Gained a fair amount of attention in Brighton and got investment of £30k. Kerim is now in the exciting stage of small-batch production, continuing to refine and enhance his creation.

Kerim has also gained valuable experience as a draftsperson and designer at Millimetre, a creative company based in Portslade. Here he worked on some exciting artistic projects. One for a famous DJ called Don Diablo, another project for a South Korean artist called Doh Ho Suh.

Currently, Kerim is thriving as a Project Design Engineer at Felcon in Newhaven. In this dynamic role, he is entrusted with designing new products and managing electromechanical projects to completion.

Kerim says: “Varndean is a great place for learning. My time there was probably one of my favourite periods in my life so far. I just felt motivated to study and give more than what was expected of me. I put this down the friendly environment where there is mutual respect between students and teachers. I was also struck by the inclusivity of the college. The Maths teachers were super cool and caring and having a good foundation with Maths helps a lot with engineering at university. Physics was one of the more challenging courses for me, but this really helped me push myself out of my comfort zone. 3D Design was one of my favourites courses I have taken in my entire life! The 3D classroom was a place where I felt so creative and free.”

After leaving Varndean in 2017, Alfie has been successful in securing several acting contracts in three feature films, two of which will feature on Netflix in 2020 and the other was ‘Tolkien” that came out in 2019. Alongside his acting, Alfie uses his artistic skills by designing tattoos. He is currently applying for a place at drama school in London and hopes to further pursue his career in acting.

Alfie says: “Varndean was my ‘home’ for two years and it really meant a lot to me to be able to help the College recently as a careers evening at my previous school, Dorothy Stringer.”

Megan graduated from Brunel University with a 1st class BSc degree in Anthropology with professional development. She then graduated with a Distinction in MA Death, Religion and Culture from the University of Winchester.

Megan is now in a management role (as a Supervisor) at the National Gallery, working for their Loyalty, Sales and Tickets Experiences department.

Megan says: “I really enjoyed my time at Varndean. It helped me gain confidence, especially when it came to running the College’s Feminist Society with friends.”

Abbie chose her college subjects as she felt they offered a broad range of ‘door openers’ to careers. She has now gone on to graduate from University of Sussex with a BA in Childhood and Youth Studies and in October 2021 completed her Masters in Early Years Education with Early Years Teacher Status at Distinction level. Abbie is now working as a full time early years teacher with the hope of owning her own nursery.

Abbie says: “I really enjoyed studying at Varndean, all the teachers were amazing and I have now also encouraged my sister to study there and she loves it too! My tip is to learn as much as you can while you can because that’s the one regret of a lot of people I know; not doing it whilst is was all in front of them and for free!”

Hazel left Varndean and went straight on to becoming a professional spoken word poet. She is still a poet now in 2022 but in addition she is also now writing editorials for her own magazine, runs and hosts live music events and open mics, produces and hosts a radio show, and made a short film last year that got selected for the London Short Film Festival.

Hazel is also an activist, a youth worker, and runs a community library project that she founded. She is currently on the BA Literature and Creative Writing degree course at Goldsmiths, University of London, after taking a few years out

Hazel says: “My experience at Varndean, particularly in the Classics and English Department, was highly enriched and motivating. The personal and committed touch my tutors brought to the learning environment at Varndean is absolutely the reason I now feel so equipped to flourish in the poetry community. My interest in literature was sustained only because it was so genuinely encouraged. I would like to especially commend Carole, Conor and Cathy for consistently going above and beyond for their students and for inspiring me to this day.”

After leaving Varndean, Emily chose to take 2 gap years in which she spent her time working and travelling before taking up a BA (Hons) degree in Sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University in September 2019. However, when Covid hit she decided to switch courses to Nursing as she wanted to help out during the Covid pandemic. She studied Adult Nursing (BSc Hons) also at Manchester Metropolitan University.

She loved studying nursing, and after graduating as a nurse she got a job as a chemotherapy nurse and has been working at The Christie cancer hospital in Manchester since. She says, “It’s a busy department – we treat about 150 patients a day – but I love my job, you get to know patients well as they attend regularly and it’s very rewarding.”

Emily says: “When I went to the Varndean Open Day I remember they said there was ‘room to be you’ which made me feel so welcome. I loved my time at Varndean as I made lifelong friends, had great teachers and gained valuable experience that helped shape where I am now. I found Sociology the most interesting and it was my teachers who inspired me to study it as a degree.”

I graduated with a Bsc Marine Biology with study abroad from the University of Exeter with upper second class honours. I loved my time at University, it gave me more opportunities than I thought possible. Because of COVID I started to question my initial plan of completing a masters degree and decided, upon graduation, to discover and expand other skill sets. This has led me to the south of France, where I am currently living in Nice and attending a language school, studying French. Here, I love to sail and scuba dive in the Mediterranean, and climb and hike in the Alps. During lockdown, I also taught myself some basic coding languages and am developing those skills to build and maintain websites as a hobby, which I intend to turn into a business. I knew I loved to travel before university but during my degree I was provided with so much opportunity to see the world that I simply want to continue to do so. After completing my course in France I intend to continue to travel and to utilise my skill set to pursue a career within wild animal rescue services.

Britani says: “I loved Varndean as it was the true college experience I desired where you have more freedom of expression. I appreciated the understanding with the tutors and being treated more like a capable adult in control of your own education, compared to the stricter secondary school system. I would foremost advise students to select A Levels that they find fun and interesting, as you always achieve better in subjects you enjoy.”

Megan completed her BCs (Hons) Psychology with counselling and psychotherapy at Manchester Metropolitan University and then went on to complete her Masters in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology at Birkbeck University. She is now looking to study for her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Canterbury University. Megan says that ‘I never thought in a million years I would go on to do doctoral training!’ She then hopes to become a consultant psychologist and hopefully go on to do neuro training. Megan is hoping that the work experience she has gained working with The Priory Group at their neuro-rehabilitation centre and at the Montefiore hospital gaining both medical and neuropsychological experience, since attaining her BCs (Hons) will help with that.

Megan says: “I really enjoyed my time at Varndean, not only do you get a first class education but you also get so much support from the teaching staff who consistently strive to help you achieve your best possible grade. I don’t think I would be where I am today without the help and support from Varndean College.”

Alex was living and working in Lima, Peru where he was selected for a role at an Exploration Mining company (CORE TECH SA) as part of his university course Professional Training year (PTY). Since then he has completed his final year of University graduating with a 2.1 in Business Management BSC. In June 2021 he started an exciting new role at McLaren Automotive as Assistant Buyer for Powertrain Systems. Key responsibilities include managing the supplier base & procurement process and implementation / delivery of the sourcing strategy.

Alex says: “Overall my time at Varndean was a journey I’ll never forget, Exceptional teaching created a fun and engaging classroom environment which inspired me to go on and achieve my goals. Through this I was able to forge close relationships and memories that I am sure will last a lifetime. I will always highly recommend Varndean College to any student looking to achieve academic excellence. My time at Varndean was one of a huge learning curve for me. I chose to study Law and Double Business, as it greatly complemented the Young Enterprise Scheme which I was involved with where we were successful in selling personalised hoodies and T.shirts for local businesses. A consistent thread to succeed amongst the team enabled us to go on and win prizes for Best Marketing and overall Second Best company award in what was a highly competitive process.Studying Business gave me a greater understanding of the subject and motivated me to develop my academic skills further at university. The marketing element was particularly interesting, enabling me to develop my presentation skills, analytical thinking, negotiating, planning and organising. These skills subsequently assisted me in event planning a charitable auction at the college in support of the Clock Tower Sanctuary project for homeless people. Studying Law enabled me to develop my logical thinking, research analysis and evaluation skills. I particularly enjoyed learning about Dispute Solving in the Legal System which strengthened by ability to present structured arguments.”

Wei Jing is from Singapore and chose to study the IB because of the flexibility to choose a range of subjects as well as learning a European language. For one of her subjects, she chose Global Politics as she was fascinated with understanding wider global issues and discussing politics in the international landscape. Wei Jing has now graduated from UCL with a first class degree in Law and has successfully secured a training contract with a commercial law firm in London.

Wei Jing says: “I am very fortunate to have been able to achieve the aspirations I had set for myself a few years back. The journey has not been easy, very much like my time on the IB. I never had the innate ability to “think like a lawyer”. In fact, many of my closest friends and family discouraged me from reading law as I was not logical or analytical, but I insisted on my ways. Certainly, there were many stressful nights, often with my mind plagued with doubts and insecurities. But I committed to my studies and I was consistent with my efforts. Ultimately, I succeeded and walked away having overcome my own insecurities.

University can be a challenging experience for many but it was also a time in my life where I felt the greatest freedom to experiment and to dream. I could join any society I wanted, I met people from all around the world, I learnt from distinguished academics. Undoubtedly, entering a new phase in life can be intimidating. But I would highly encourage you to put yourself out there to experience life. I would challenge you to dream big and chase your goals. I believe with hard work, anything is possible.

Believe in yourself and you are halfway there already. Do not give up and keep your head high. If you struggle with finding a direction for life beyond university, make use of the resources your university provides. You can also talk to career counsellors, discuss plans with your friends, attend different career events. By exposing yourself to the wide array of opportunities and people out there, you will be able to narrow down your interests. With that said, I wish you all the best in your future endeavours!”

Caroline graduated from the University of Cambridge (2020), where she read English, and has just completed an MA in Medieval Studies at King’s College, London (2021). She studied the IB at Varndean with English Literature, Psychology, and Biology at Higher Level, and Maths Studies, Theatre, and German at Standard Level. Caroline chose the IB because she found the prospect of studying a wide range of subjects exciting, and had heard really good feedback about the programme, specifically its commitment to producing well-rounded, inquisitive learners. In September 2022, Caroline plans to begin her PhD at City, University of London, where she will work under the supervision of Dr Hetta Howes to investigate the political utility of Contemporary Medieval literature. She hopes to pursue a career in academia, in addition to advancing her writing career, and is currently in the process of publishing her own poetry. Her poem ‘Lessons’ was recently published in The Black Spring Press Group’s The Best New British and Irish Poets 2019-2021 anthology, and her work has featured in Versification Magazine, Aurelia Magazine, and Wild Court Literary Journal amongst others. She is also currently deputy poetry editor of The Mays Literary Anthology (2022).

Caroline says: “Studying the IB was without a doubt one of the best choices I’ve ever made. It is a demanding programme, but the teachers were excellent and so passionate about their subjects. I am constantly drawing on the things that I learnt, even as I move forward into my PhD (including the philosophical criticism investigated within the compulsory TOK component). The strong interdisciplinary basis of the programme has been a major inspiration for my own cross-disciplinary and multi-temporal PhD work, and I feel so grateful to have had such a well-rounded education at Varndean. Varndean College is a special place to study because the campus is spacious and peaceful, and you really do feel part of one supportive and caring community.”

Fyodor attended the Ravensbourne University in North Greenwich, London, where he studied a BA in Digital Film Production. From a very young age he knew that a career in the film industry is where his ambition resided. Before starting university in Sept 2018, he took a gap year and spent time in New York modelling, then alongside his studies, kick started his own corporate video company undertaking work for a number of clients. He now works freelance within the film industry, with an emphasis on fashion design, as well as pursuing his career as a model which has seen him undertake shoots in Turkey and South Korea. His future career ambitions are to hopefully work his way up to one day becoming a successful director of photography (DOP) in feature films.

Fyodor says: “Varndean certainly enabled me to be creative whilst retaining an admiration for the academic side of creative subjects. I made deep friendships there and cherish the memories very dearly. I’d certainly recommend Varndean to anyone looking to go into a creative industry, as well more academic ones.”

After leaving Varndean, Seb took a gap year in which he went travelling around South East Asia, visiting Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. He then started a degree in Criminology at the University of Bristol where is about to graduate in 2021 and will then follow a Masters in Sociology at Bristol. Seb has always been interested in the workings of the human mind and behaviour and how these can be impacted by social and biological factors.

Seb says: “College was an important tool for me in helping understand the progression I wanted to take afterwards. My subjects helped a lot in developing my career interests and allowing me to take a subject further which I had always had a great interest in. I would definitely say enjoy and make the most of your time at college as the time goes by really quickly. Also, focus and stick to your goals. You don’t have to necessarily know exactly where you want to go with life, which is ok, but just ensure you use the college and its staff to your benefit. I am now at Bristol, which is an amazing city to study in. The university itself has an incredible reputation and I have been very proud to be completing my studies here. I hope to eventually work in the criminal justice system.”

Ted studied at Varndean between 2015-2017, during which time he was also a radio presenter and ward volunteer for Southlands Hospital Radio whilst also gaining work experience at local media company, David Andrews Media. He went on to study Journalism at City, University of London, where he graduated last year with a 2:1.

Whilst studying for his degree, Ted worked as a freelance journalist for many different organisations and platforms such as Tremr, The Backbencher, The Distiller and Wolves of Westminster. He was also a regular guest on local Latest TV News, where he got his first taste of being a political pundit, offering his opinion, analysis and predictions on the weeks’ news. This led to a one-year internship for Frontline Club Charitable Trust where he assisted with the organisation of events and produced his own podcast with BBC Political Editor, Nick Robinson, which gained 1000+ listeners within the first week. Further freelance contracts followed working for Sky News on the 2019 General Election, C&S Earthquake, Politics Home, Rory for London, Comment Central, Global Vision UK, Reach plc and Blue Sky Digital Consultancy.

In 2020, Ted took up a Masters in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy with City University of London and has recently returned to work for UK political media platform Wolves of Westminster, this time being appointed as Editor in Chief.

Because she was unsure about where and what she wanted to study after leaving college, Esme chose to take a Gap Year and whilst working in employment saved up to travel around South East Asia and India for four months. During that time, she acquired life skills, such as self-reliance, adaptability and budgeting, which helped her prepare for the challenges of academic study at university. She is currently a second year student at the University of Amsterdam, reading European Studies, an interdisciplinary course with modules on Law, Economics, History, Politics and Literature, whilst majoring in Eastern European History and Politics. She is also learning Dutch as part of her Bachelors, whilst working part-time in a fine dining restaurant.

In the future Esme would like to complete a Masters in International Relations, again in The Netherlands, hopefully to prepare her for work in a politically based think-tank such as the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM).

Esme says: “Picking subjects you like is paramount. Studying is so much more enjoyable when you are truly interested in what you are learning about. Also, challenge yourself – don’t choose a course just because it sounds easy!”

Zaheerah chose to study Sociology and Geography because she has always enjoyed learning about the world, both socially and physically. Classical Civilisation gave her the opportunity to study some of her favourite pieces of literature and her decision to study Games Design was because she enjoyed graphic design and editing and because she took Media Studies at GCSE, the course seemed to be perfect fit.

Zaheerah is currently in her third and final year of university, after which she hopes to work in publishing, either in a creative or editorial position. In general, her career path is aimed at digital media and she already runs her own blog where she reviews books.

Zaheerah says: “My time at Varndean was extremely important to me. Initially I felt like a fish out of water and it was a very daunting period in my life. However, I’m grateful for the friends I soon made and the staff at Varndean for being so accommodating. I recommend to take your time when making your subject choices. The courses available are so diverse and interesting, but the staff there are always happy to advise.”

Michael is currently at London South Bank University continuing with his studies in Computer Science. After first completing a foundation year, he is now in his second year of undergraduate study and is currently working towards finding a placement for his final year. He has recently developed a society in Esports and has worked with a wide range of different people. Most recently, he attended the grand opening of the Adidas store in Oxford Street, meeting different people in the Esports industry, including internet personality Ninja. Michael chose to follow Computer Science as a degree due to his love of programming and finding new solutions to different problems.

Michael says: “My time at Varndean was a strange one! Initially I chose to do too much and picked subjects which were really not subjects I wanted to do. Consequently, in the first year I did not get the results I had hoped for and this taught me the importance of choosing your subjects intelligently. If it wasn’t for the support of the staff at Varndean, I wouldn’t have made it out of the hole I had made for myself. As well as this, I believe that Varndean also holds the friendliest A Level students in all of Sussex. The friends I made at Varndean are still some of my closest friends I hold dear. If you want a place that gives you the freedom to make mistakes and to grow from them and become who you’re truly meant to be; with the friendliest staff and students to carry you through what might be the most important years of your life, then go to Varndean, you won’t regret it.”

After college Ophelia wanted to take the career path to become an actor so she chose these subjects as they gave her a great balance of practical work and essay writing. English Literature gave her a strong focus on plays and Shakespeare. Drama & Theatre Studies was also quite essay based, whilst the BTEC in Performing Arts gave her the practical acting experience she needed, as well as the opportunity of performing at the Brighton Fringe which looked good on her CV. After leaving Varndean, Ophelia took a gap year in which she travelled around South East Asia. She then completed an Acting Foundation Course at Guildford School of Acting from 2018-2019 and is now continuing her acting career and has secured an agent. She has recently acted in the upcoming Disney film ‘Cruella’, a short film for Brighton Film School, and is currently auditioning for a three yer degree course at drama school.

Ophelia says: “Varndean was a wonderful place to study and I enjoyed all my A Level choices. My course subjects were both engaging and well taught and the staff were extremely supportive. I left with an A in Drama, a Dist* in Performing Arts, a B in English Literature and an A in AS Photography. I believe these results helped me get onto my Acting Foundation and show my dedication for my career choice.”

Jasmine is currently working as an assistant ecologist for and has just accepted a new job as an ecological consultant.

Jasmine says: “Varndean was an incredible college for me. I had so much support from the staff there and they really helped me to achieve my best. The IB was a great choice as it gave me many options for university and I got to do subjects I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do at A Level.”

Barney chose these subjects as originally he wanted to go on to study Physics at degree level. However, after acquiring a place to study Physics with Astronomy at the University of Surrey, he realised that the course and university life was not for him so he left and spent the next year working.

He then applied to the British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM) in Brighton to study a BA in Music Production. Since leaving he has had multiple tracks signed to major publishers (BMG) and was nominated for “Best Folk Production Music Track” at the 2023 Production Music Awards.

Barney says: “I have such fond memories of my time at Varndean College. My tutors were so genuine and supportive and I felt I was doing them proud with every step of the progress I made. There was so much support available and I’m glad I made good use of it. To students choosing their courses, it’s a good idea to pick courses that will provide opportunities relevant to you, but it’s more important that you’ll actually enjoy studying those courses. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes or asking for help – sometimes you have to fail to realise how good it feels to succeed.”

Luke has recently published his first book, ‘Against the Current: Living Offline in an Online World). At Varndean, Luke discovered that he wasn’t only keen to establish his own interests with his nose in books. Another huge part of his identity was forged by honing his public voice and communication skills to network with other perspectives that continues to further influence his understanding people in his field of work.

Luke says: “Varndean college crystallised my ambitions in studying further in the discipline of history at an undergraduate and postgraduate level. My academic pathway would not have had the foundational platform, if not for the strong style of research ethics that I had found in myself here.”

After Varndean College, Natasha continued her education at the University of Sussex where she further explored her passion for television, film and editorial writing by studying a BA Media course, and later an MA in Filmmaking.

Natasha found her first job in central London for a television company. She worked as the company Receptionist for a year, making friends with producers and heads of departments of television productions within the company and was encouraged to interview for a production trainee position for a recurring series. It was there where she made further industry connections and worked up to being a Production Coordinator for television and documentary film.

Natasha says: “Varndean College helped mesh my three interests (Media, English and production) in my courses. I distinctly remember how supportive my teachers were, especially during assessment periods. With some extra encouragement and structure, I passed my A Level exams and found my drive to work in the industry.”

Sophie chose to leave Varndean College after just one year after securing employment in the care sector. She has since worked as a care assistant in a nursing home, a care/personal assistant for a sufferer of Cerebral Palsy, a support worker for people with learning disabilities, as well as a care assistant at a centre for people with brain injuries.

Sophie has worked for a private supported living company where she supported two ladies who were born with learning disabilities and can find day to day tasks a struggle and need extra support and care to manage this.

In 2024, she started working as a residential support worker for a children’s home. She is working on her NVQ Level 3 in Child Care which can open up her opportunities to progress to higher working position within the company.

Sophie says: “If you are thinking of going into health and social care, don’t hesitate! There are so many paths to different sectors of any social groups, from care worker, social worker, occupational therapist etc. It is very rewarding to do this course to be able to view the world we live in from a different light from what we are used to.”

Since leaving Varndean, where he made his first documentary, Caleb has worked on a range of projects in the field. In 2017, he produced ‘Stories of Note’, an online, monochromatic series, which gave people the opportunity to tell a story about something that had happened in their life. It went on to be nominated for Best British Series at Raindance. He also went on to document ‘Team Santos’ (three players from Brighton Table Tennis Club) as they prepared to represent their country at the European Down’s Syndrome Championships. The resulting short film, ‘Believe That’, was screened across the country, including two sold-out nights at Brighton’s iconic Duke of York’s. Later on, Caleb co-founded production company, Kith and Kin Films, which aims to amplify important stories which are seldom heard and show that even the most unfamiliar communities are bound together by universal narratives and sources of meaning.

Caleb says: “I think the most valuable thing Varndean provided in my time there was the opportunity to try out different things. We worked on a whole range of areas and tried different things, and in the end we spent some time working on documentaries and I haven’t stopped being interested in them since.”

After leaving Varndean College, Josh went on to study Film, TV & Digital Production at Royal Holloway University of London. During his course, he managed the student TV station and had the opportunity to oversee numerous large multi-camera live broadcasts.

After graduating, Josh pursued a career in broadcasting, a highly sought-after skill during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. He now runs his own multi-camera live streams for conferences, festivals, and comedy shows.

More recently, Josh has explored the world of podcasts, working with high-profile clients such as Joel Dommett and Jack Whitehall and family, capturing the unique and humorous anecdotes they bring to their podcast audiences.

Today, Josh continues to work in live streams, live broadcasts, and podcast visualisation, maintaining his drive to push forward and excel in the media industry.

Josh says: “None of this would have never happened if I hadn’t decided to study Creative Media at Varndean, as I originally took the course as a bit of a fun on top of 3D Design and Fine Art, which were originally my two strong subjects. Varndean allowed me to be creative and try different things, even if not my strong point. I had little knowledge of the film and TV industry prior to studying Creative Media Production, but it truly showed me a new future for me after education”

After leaving Varndean, Bryony went to Solent University in Southampton to study Film Production (BA Hons) and is now in her third year making her graduate film. With the biggest budget film I’ve worked on (£10,000) she’s working as Casting Director, First Assistant Camera (1st AC), and Editor. Next year she’s staying to do a part-time Masters in Film!

Bryony says: “Varndean was new to me; it allowed me to become independent and really think about what I wanted to do in the future. I knew my career lied in the arts sector, but creative media production really allowed me to explore the different roles and responsibilities I could strive to achieve. Covering all bases of film and television, from live tv, to fiction and non-fiction films, it let me dabble in lots of areas and through that, I was able to understand what I wanted. My other creative subjects (photography and digital illustration) really pushed me to overcome obstacles and allowed me to experiment with my craft.”

Since leaving Varndean in 2016, Luke has had an exciting journey in education and his professional career. After completing his A-levels, Luke graduated from Brighton Screen and Film School with a BA (Hons) in Filmmaking in 2019.

Following his graduation, he worked in the TV and film industry in a variety of roles, including Foley Assistant, Audio Editor, and Edit Assistant. During this time, he contributed to some incredible projects, including The Last Kingdom, Vera, Help! My House Is Haunted, and more.

In addition to his work in post-production, he has expanded his skill set into digital marketing and content creation. Currently, he is a Social Media Manager for a variety of Online Content Creators, where he edits engaging content, and manages social media.

Here’s a brief overview of some of his key roles and achievements since leaving Varndean:

Social Media Manager (2024 – Current): Producing videos, editing, and planning for Online Content Creators.

Edit/Audio Assistant (2022 – 2024): Worked on post-production for major broadcasters like BBC, Channel 4, and Discovery Plus, utilizing tools like Avid Media Composer, Pro Tools, and DaVinci Resolve.

Foley Artist and Editor (2021): Edited Foley for TV dramas, including The Bay and The Last Kingdom.

Audio Editor (2019 – 2020): Edited dialogue for video games and audiobooks, contributing to titles like The Settlers: New Allies.

Luke says: “It’s been an incredible journey since my time at Varndean, and I remain grateful for the foundation it provided me.”

Corinne studied the Level 3 Diploma in Early Years and Education after coming to Varndean from another college.

Corinne says: “My time at Varndean College, studying for my Level 3 in Early Years Education, prepared me so much for going to university and my academic career. I had already completed two years at another college finishing with grades I wasn’t happy with and I didn’t feel ready to go to university. I then came to Varndean where I spent two years balancing lessons in college with 1-2 days per week at placements, working on coursework and planning activities so that I could qualify as an Early Years Educator. I obtained good results and had so much support from my tutors, but when the time arrived to start thinking about university again, I decided to study for a degree in Criminology rather than continuing with Early years.

Four years on after leaving Varndean, I’ve now got my undergraduate degree, just a few weeks away from completing my Masters degree and been accepted to start my PhD. I have also been able to support myself financially by working in an Early Years setting as I have the Level 3 qualification. I am grateful that Varndean encouraged me to pursue my interests and provided support that was tailored to me.”

I also obtained a First in my intercalated Global Health BSc (Hons) degree during the COVID pandemic. I’m hoping to get allocated to Brighton as an FY1 when I graduate, and have plans to become a paediatrician in the future!

The IB was perfect for me because it allowed me to meet the requirements for medical school (HL Chemistry + Biology, SL Maths), whilst also pursuing my other interests (HL Spanish, SL History + English Lit.).

Tess says: “The IB gives a really well-rounded education, and the size of our cohort meant I really got to know everyone well and make friends for life! It’s important to plan for the future, but also enjoy your two years at college, so pick something that interests you and get involved with social activities!”

Liam went on to study Psychology at University College London (BSc) and followed this with a PhD at the same institution.

He is now a researcher at University College London (UCL), investigating novel methods in machine learning for hearing health. His work sits directly between academia (in UCL) and translation into practice (with the NHS). Having completed his PhD in Speech and Machine Learning, he is continuing to research methods in machine learning and artificial intelligence for speech and hearing.

Liam says, “I’d definitely recommend the IB to anyone who is motivated to progress their knowledge in a multi-disciplinary approach!”

Daniel attended Bath University completing a placement year at University of Iowa at the Carver College of Medicine within the Department of Biophysics and Molecular Physiology. Finishing university with a first-class degree, he began work as a Life Science recruiter. He then returned to his studies undertaking a PhD at King’s College London and the pharmaceutical company GSK. At GSK he worked with the NHS dealing with Covid vaccines and helped in longitudinal studies. Daniel recently finished his PhD in gene therapy with Kings College London and GSK. He is now at a gene therapy biotech, AviadoBio, who specialise in CNS disorders.

Daniel says: “I loved my time spent at Varndean College and it 100% set me up for my goals in life. I fondly remember all the teachers who helped me get this far. Special shout out to John Luton who I sometimes come back and see. The teachers helped me thrive and be my best.”

Upon leaving Varndean, Katie gained a place at the prestigious Norland College in Bath and went on to gain a BA (Hons) in Early Years Development and Learning which is unique to Norland College. The three year course combined undergraduate degree level study with practical sessions and experience with children, enabling her to put theory into practice. Running alongside the degree, and for one year after leaving, you also work towards gaining the prestigious ‘Norland Diploma’ – otherwise known as the ‘Norland Nanny’ status.

At the end of of her three year’s training at Norland College, Katie was proud to be awarded ‘The Principal’s Award’ and is now currently completing her Newly Qualified Nanny (NQN) year, being just 6 months away from gaining her Norland Nanny status! She is currently working in London with a family with two young boys and hopes to stay on in this position after she qualifies. Although one day she would eventually love to take over her mother’s nursery!

Katie says: “I really enjoyed my time at Varndean and loved the course as it was very practical. It was an ideal stepping stone allowing me to follow my dreams of becoming a fully qualified Norland Nanny.”

Danielle now works for Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Council as a Benefits Caseworker. She plans to stay in this position for a few years and then apply to train to be a probation officer.

Danielle says: “I can’t thank Varndean enough for all the support they gave me. All the staff were so supportive and I knew they had my best interests at heart. They were truly invested in their students being the best they could be. For any prospective student, I recommend choosing subjects you love and talking to the staff if you’re unsure what to pick. Law BTEC was a brand new course when I started and I sat down with staff and they really understood what I wanted. Don’t just choose a college that your friends are attending, choose the one that makes you feel comfortable as you’ll spend so much of your time there. I would recommend Varndean, they made me feel at home and fully supported. Massive thank you to Varndean for taking me in when I thought I had nowhere to go. Special shout out to Lee Gray, who teaches Sociology and Jo, who teaches Law; I couldn’t have got to where I am today without their support!”

After graduating with a 2.1 in her BA (Hons) degree in English Literature, Kathryn is now studying for an MA in Creative & Critical Writing at the University of Sussex. Whilst studying for this, she is working part-time as an Admin Assistant at a local nursery, as well as taking part in various fundraising activities such as the London to Brighton and London to Paris bike rides. Later she is hoping to undertake a second degree in Biology through the Open University and ultimately would like to work in academia.

Riannon attends the University of Brighton studying a BA in Graphic Design for Digital Media, Her art foundation teacher had noticed she paid a lot more attention to online platforms rather than physical ways of designing so suggested that course over the standard Graphic Design course.

She enjoys the course so much, having never previously considered going to university, and has found it the most rewarding experience. I got a 2:1 in her first year and a 1:1 in her second. She has also gained three years of customer service in jewellery from aged 16 and in 2017 secured a job as a print and design specialist. More recently she landed a job as a part-time Social Media expert at a dance studio. She hopes to work for a magazine or fashion/street culture environment in the future.

Rhiannon says: “Varndean was an amazing experience for me, I made loads of friends and was allowed to express myself in a way no other educational place had allowed before. I would say be yourself, try as hard as you can but always stick with what you want to do in.

During her 2nd year at university, Verity completed a 5 week volunteering placement in Knysna, South Africa where she taught Maths and English in an underprivileged pre-school and in her final year visited the UN Headquarters in Geneva to attend various talks and workshops.

In May 2019, she will be taking part in the International Citizenship Service, heading off on a 12 week placement in Apata-Ajele, Nigeria with VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas). She’ll be working on an education programme to improve the quality of education, as well as working on gender empowerment and health projects. Each project plays a hugely important role in the development of the Apata-Ajele community.

Natasha (or Tash as she is known to everybody!) graduated from University College London in 2021 after following a six-year degree in Medicine. She is now a fully-qualified junior doctor working at St. George’s Hospital, London and hopes to maybe specialise in paediatrics. She is a frequent visitor back at Varndean College since leaving in 2015, regularly assisting the Chemistry Department in giving valuable talks to our aspiring medical students about the university application process and what it is like to train as a doctor, as well as meeting with prospective students and parents at College open events.

Outside of her studies, Tash has volunteered extensively with a number of Girl Guides organisations for many years. She is currently a unit leader for Girl Guiding St Pancras for Rainbows (aged 5-7) and Guides (aged 10-14) and also an assistant commissioner, overseeing the units across Camden, London. In June 2021, she was the first person to be awarded the Guiding LaSER’s Diamond Award for exceptional members under the age of 30.

She is also a voice for those learners who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing and is passionate about accessibility for d/Deaf people in education and health. She has co-created online deaf awareness training for healthcare professionals and teachers. She was also a speaker at the recent UCL Education Conference in which she spoke about UCL’s Summer School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, an event which changed her life seven years ago.

Tamara graduated from Ravensbourne University in 2019. Whilst studying there she worked part-time at Harrods. She is now an Assistant Manager in marketing for Aspects Beauty, working closely with brands like Versace & Moschino.

Tamara says: “If you stay determined you can achieve anything you want to.”

After Varndean Amelia studied choreography and dance at Winchester university, but due to health reasons she decided she would pursue a career in nursing or physiotherapy instead. Amelia joined Jemini Response as a support worker looking after autistic adults and has now been promoted to a senior key worker for an individual at one of their residences.

Amelia says: “Varndean was the best time of my life. I made so many amazing memories and recommend the College to anyone who wants to broaden their knowledge. There is so much support at Varndean; I loved the additional support team and the counselling team were there when I needed them. Varndean is such a welcoming college where I felt supported in every aspect.”

Labib has graduated from medical school at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and is now working as a junior doctor at the Royal Sussex County hospital. Currently his career aim is to pursue a career in surgery.

Labib says: “I would recommend students to dream big and believe in your capabilities, as hard work can get you anywhere you want! Also, listen to whatever John Luton (Head of Chemistry) has to say!”

Upon leaving Varndean, Charlotte decided to move to Australia. It was always her dream to move there as she grew up and now she has permanent residency and has just applied for citizenship this year, 2021.

Over the past 3 years Charlotte has been lucky enough to explore working in different environments and industries and has discovered her love for helping people.

After working at H&R Block tax accountants for two years in admin and reception, they offered her the opportunity to take their income taxation course, this was an intense course qualifying her to complete Individual tax returns and business activity statements. She has recently just finished working the tax season (July-October in Australia) and has loved every minute of it. She gets to know her clients and help them with their tax returns. A dreaded task for most but Charlotte seems to make it bearable and quite a positive experience for most and she enjoys teaching people about the taxation system, especially since it’s a subject that not many people are educated on.

Charlotte believes that the business diploma she attained at Varndean was a great foundation to be able to get into this industry, and it’s always highly regarded when she goes to job interviews. She has recently been offered, and accepted, a job at a different accounting and financial planning firm. So she is looking forward to learning the financial planning side of things in the near future. Charlotte loves working in this industry.

In addition to all this, Charlotte is also considering studying a diploma or degree in counselling, as this is something else that interests her.

Charlotte says: “I am thankful for the hard work I put in during my time at college as it means that when the time is right I have the key to get my degree. My teacher Will who I had for both subjects was exceptional and went above and beyond to help me achieve my goals; he not only set us the work and marked it but had a real passion for his students succeeding and was so supportive from start to end. I walked away with full marks in my Business Diploma (which I never imagined in a million years) and there truly is no better feeling than results day and all the hard work paying off. After leaving Varndean I had made friends for life and my experience helped me to grow so much as a person. It gave me the confidence to move overseas alone. If I was to summarise my time at Varndean I’d say that the most valuable thing I learnt was that If you believe in yourself it is truly possible to achieve anything.”

Frankie chose not to go to university but instead followed his ambition to be a Military Historian. Whilst he may return to education to acquire a degree in History, he has instead spent his time since leaving college writing books.

His first book titled ‘Fallen Giants: The Combat Debut of the T-35A Tank’ was published in August 2017 and his second book ‘T-34 Shock: The Soviet Legend in Pictures’ was released in June 2021 and was the best selling military history book on amazon UK and US, and has since sold out in America twice.

His history work has extended to real world applications and in the summer of 2016, he was involved in the recovery of a World War Two tank, buried near Dorking, which was filmed for the History Channel and was also involved in two tank restoration projects.

In 2019 he started his own living history group, ‘Krasniy Konverv’ and now gives presentations on the Red Army in World War Two, life as a soldier and crewing a tank. Frankie is currently writing further books, and is still interested in going to university, either to study history or go into primary education.

As of September 2023, I am now the Collections Custodian of Newhaven Fort. I have been instrumental in the £7.5 million restoration of Sussex’s largest military structure, designing exhibitions, conducting vital restoration works, managing the Forts archive and collection and much more. This role has broadened my horizons, and my career is museums is well under way.

Following his degree, Will stayed in Bristol as a postgraduate researcher and studied for his Masters where he completed a project which involved devising a new technique to measure the mechanical properties of cells in the blood for disease diagnosis, funded by cancer research UK. He is now working as a consultant and data analyst at a tech startup in the video gaming industry.

William says: “Studying at Varndean was such a rewarding experience for me, with excellent teachers who I’ll always remember supporting me every step of the way.”

After having trained at CAE Oxford Aviation Academy and acquiring a degree in Air Transport Management, Ben started training and flying for EasyJet in March 2019 and is currently finishing his training with the company. His future career plans involve staying at EasyJet and hopefully gaining captaincy!

Ben says: “Varndean has a brilliant Physics department, extremely helpful, willing to go out their way to help if you’re struggling on a particular subject. And an extremely passionate and involved Psychology department.”

Zak left Varndean and went straight into employment working as a builder, whilst at the same time working on his filmmaking portfolio by carrying out freelance work. In 2016 he landed his first full time filmmaking job with ‘Dragonfly Productions’, working with them for a couple of months until unfortunately they could no longer afford to keep him on. He then went back to freelancing whilst working as a builder again and in 2017 produced his own showreel which he sent out to numerous filmaking companies. In January 2018, after numerous emails and eventually gaining an interview, he was offered the position of Junior Filmmaker with ‘The Progress Film Company’, where he has now worked on some really exciting projects all over the country, including filming Graham Norton for publicity about his new book. The company also gave him the opportunity to work on a project of his choice with their backing, so has been working on his first ever conservation documentary and has even had my first shoot abroad in Frankfurt, Germany.

Zak says: “It was my Varndean tutor, Nik, who actually gave me the confidence not to pursue university and to start looking for work instead. She felt I had a good chance, as I had been teaching myself filmmaking from my early teens. I now hope to keep developing my skills as a filmmaker and start to focus in on what I am most suited for. The production of my first conservation documentary will be a great learning experience, as well as being a great creative outlet.”

Since leaving Varndean College, Becky has pursued a career in charity communications. This has led her to working for Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (a wildlife rescue charity in Malawi), British Exploring Society (a youth development charity in London), and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey.

Becky says: “Varndean College made me realise that I wanted to pursue a career in both science and media.

Communicating science relies heavily on knowing how to share complex issues with the public in easy-to-understand ways. By studying Biology and Geography at A Level, I gained background knowledge that helps me to understand the science I am communicating, whilst Media Studies and Graphic Design gave me the skills to create media.”

Felicity went to Canada to study a BA in Digital Media. Over the years she’s acquired a few academic scholarships and is set to graduate in April 2019 and then start a Masters of Community Planning in September 2019. Currently my future plans are to work in community planning, with a focus on building or improving small communities; making them more sustainable while meeting the needs of all members of the community regardless of their age, gender, income, or ethnic background.

Felicity says: “You don’t have to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life at this moment in time. I’m 23 and I still don’t know what the future will hold. When it comes to your education, the key is to ensure you learn how to learn. This, more than anything else, will give you the tools to succeed regardless of what challenges or opportunities the world throws at you. Don’t be afraid to try new things, to meet new people, and explore outside of your comfort zone.”

Daniel is now in his sixth year studying Dentistry at Newcastle University and was recently named as the UK’s top undergraduate dentist for clinical skills after winning The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Dentsply Sirona skills competition.

David says: “I chose Varndean College, predominantly because I was looking for something that would give me an edge in my dental school applications and I found that the extremely successful IB course could offer this. When it came to my application, the interviewers definitely took an interest in the IB, as its breadth indicated that I could handle a university workload. Varndean also runs a dedicated group for prospective medical, dental and veterinary students which I found to be invaluable in helping me through the university application process, offering practice interviews, talks from alumni and universities and advice tailored specifically to my application.”

Sophie took a gap year to go travelling and during that time visited Thailand and New Zealand and then lived and worked in Australia for 8 months. After her gap year she studied Law at the University of Sussex and graduated in 2018. She has recently landed a job with Sussex Police and began her 15 weeks training in Spring 2019, after which she will be posted into the Brighton and Hove division to pursue her career as a Police Constable. She then plans to work her way up before hopefully becoming a Detective Constable.

Sophie says: “Enjoy your time at college as it allows you to figure out who you are and what path you want to take. Fully delve into all your subjects as you may be surprised which ones you end up pursuing in the long run.”

Whilst at university, Abi did as much work experience as she could and then went straight into a job in television. She is now working as a Researcher for a TV company in London and works mainly developing TV shows and casting people to take part. Her work also entails carrying out editorial research. Abi hopes to become a TV Producer in the future, in particular producing documentaries.

Abi Says: “If you’re not sure about what courses to choose, it’s best to think about what you really enjoy and what you are good at.”

Holly went on to study BA History at Sheffield University and graduated in 2018 with a 1st. She then worked in the higher education sector before deciding to pursue an MA in Arts Management and Heritage Studies at the University of Leeds, graduating in 2023.

She is currently working for a charity, running their membership scheme and supporting charity finance professionals. Holly is also a digital curator running an Instagram page dedicated to improving representation in museums.

Holly says: “My advice for any student choosing their A Levels would be to pick what subjects you enjoy, not what subjects you feel you should be doing. There’s always support and advice available when you need it and never be afraid to ask for help!”

After Varndean, Ellie took a gap year and embarked upon a winter 5 month ski season as a Chalet Chef in the French Alps. This provided her with not only a break from education but also a chance to meet new people and gain independence. Following this, as well as working part-time, she undertook a 5 week interrailing trip around Europe. In 2015, she started a degree in Theatre Production, but soon realised university wasn’t for her and, after much deliberation, left after completing just the first year. A challenging decision as she went against the tide of her peers.

A random application resulted in her landing a job as Cabin Crew for British Airways and following an intense 5 week training, she began flying around the world, serving people at 35,000ft. After a year, she then moved back to working as a Chalet Chef for the 2017/18 winter ski season.

Ellie is now currently working in London for an events company, where she started out as Events Coordinator and after just 4 months has been promoted to Marketing Coordinator. As part of this role, she gets to travel and she enjoys being part of an intimate team where her contributions are valued.

She is also training and fundraising for a cycle from London to Amsterdam in 2019 for a cause close to her heart.

Ellie says: “Although I didn’t realise it at the time, all the varied jobs I’ve had have only added to my skills and experience, and contributed to me getting my current career. My employers saw it as a positive thing that I had achieved so much in a relative short space of time, had the courage to try new things and be an independent thinker. My future plans are now to own my own business, perhaps a ski company. I would recommend choosing the subjects you enjoy because you will thrive from doing so. When choosing what to continue to A Level, I didn’t know whether to choose Textiles or French, as I knew French was the more academic option. But I’m so glad I chose Textiles because I enjoyed the chance to be creative and it showed when I gained a grade A. Never be afraid to try something new, even if you’re not sure it will suit you. You never know where it will lead.”

Jerome studied English Language & Literature, Modern History, Government & Politics, and Law at Varndean, with a view to continuing his study of Law to university, and entering the legal profession.

After a change in direction during his gap year, he instead went on to study BA English Literature at the University of Reading from 2015 to 2018, graduating with First-Class Honours and being awarded the Dr Jean Young Memorial Award. During his studies, he oversaw a number of arts projects at the University, including the publication of three editions of the annual Creative Arts Anthology. He subsequently completed an MA in English, also at Reading, for which he achieved a Distinction. Following the completion of his MA, Jerome secured a PhD offer to research dystopian fiction and depictions of children and childhood at the University of Manchester, however, due to the coronavirus pandemic and other changes in circumstances, these plans were postponed. He currently works in charity administration in Brighton.

Outside of his studies, Jerome has continued independent academic research; in addition to presenting at a number of conferences focused on literature, pedagogy, and psychoanalysis, his work was also featured in the collected text, Questioning Ayn Rand: Subjectivity, Political Economy, and The Arts (ed. Neil Cocks), published by Palgrave MacMillan in 2020, a text interrogating and deconstructing Rand from a left-wing critical perspective, with his chapter focusing on Rand’s education writing in the 1960s and 70s, and how her philosophies influence modern-day education policy.

Jerome says: “Above anything else, make sure you choose subjects you enjoy. While there are other reasons to choose certain subjects – maybe to fit into what you want to study at University for example – if it’s not something you actually enjoy working within, it makes it much harder to engage with any of the materials. It’s your education, and being excited – even slightly! – about what you’re working on can make all the difference to how you end up getting on!”

After leaving Varndean College in 2014, Robert studied for a further two additional A Levels and then went on to study Economics with Econometrics at the University of Exeter, during which time he was also Head of Finance for the university’s Business and Finance Society. He then went on to follow a Masters in Financial Mathematics at the University of Warwick.

He now works as a Quantitative trader in Dublin, Ireland where his job is to identify future trading opportunities regarding the prices of various financial instruments, with the goal of making more money than he loses! Quantitative trading consists of trading strategies based on quantitative analysis, which rely on mathematical computations and number crunching. It is a career which is both financially and intellectually rewarding.

Robert says: “I have overwhelmingly positive memories of my time at Varndean College. It was a time where I grew a lot as a person; rediscovered old friendships and made new ones. The teachers at Varndean were very consistently supportive and were instrumental in laying the intellectual groundwork which allowed me to succeed at university.”

Ben wants to work in the rail industry (a personal goal which he hopes to combine with his education) as a signaller or similar.

Ben says: “My time at Varndean was invaluable, solidifying and honing my personal and educational skills from secondary school. The homely feel of the college was why I chose it as my first choice, and Varndean gave me a stable and friendly environment with excellent teaching and extra-curricular opportunities (trips, careers, library services etc). The EPQ was particularly useful as it introduced me to the level of writing required at university level and I used the referencing, presenting and evidence gathering skills gained from this qualification at university. This gave me a great advantage amongst my fellow students, especially during the first year.”