Varndean Sixth Form College

20/08/2026

Congratulations to all our Foundation Level students receiving their GCSE and Level 2 vocational results today. Some really impressive outcomes once again. We have really enjoyed having you here at Varndean for the past academic year and look forward to welcoming many of you back in September to begin the next stage of your educational journey with us.

Pictured are just two of our successful students today: Ella Rice who achieved a Grade 9, 2x8 and a 7, and Zain Hamed, who achieved two Grade 9s, an 8 and a 5, plus a Dist in BTEC Health & Social Care. 👏👏

19/08/2026

Good luck to everyone receiving their GCSE results tomorrow. If you have applied to study at Varndean Sixth Form College from September, hopefully you will have achieved the grades necessary to follow your chosen course.
If you do not achieve the results you hoped for, we can discuss your next steps when you come in for your Enrolment Interview next week.
Alternatively, you can email our Admissions Team at [email protected] for further advice.
You've got this!

18/08/2026

Reflecting on last week’s A Level and vocational results, we couldn’t be more proud of our students and all that they have achieved! Their dedication, resilience, and hard work truly paid off and here are just some examples of outstanding individual performances across the board. From top grades to places at some of the UK’s leading universities and colleges, our students have shown what’s possible with determination and support. Congratulations to every single one of you — your success is well-deserved and a true inspiration! 🌟👏

18/08/2026

Congratulations and a huge well done to a group of our students (led by Kip Douglass) who have just undertaken a 100km trek across the Lake District National Park to raise funds for the Rockinghorse Appeal.

You are a credit to the college and we are so very proud of you all.👏👏

Brighton students take on 100km Lake District trek for local children’s hospital charity

13/08/2026

We are delighted to share another year of impressive academic achievement across our A Level and Level 3 vocational qualifications.

These results are a testament to the dedication, determination, and talent of our students, supported by the continued commitment of all our staff.

Key Highlights:
🎓98% Overall Pass Rate across both A Level & Vocational courses

📈Record-Breaking: 25% of all A Level grades awarded at A* – A

✨Over 55% of A Level grades achieved at A* – B

🏅Over 50% of vocational students achieved top Distinction / Distinction* grades

College Principal Donna-Marie Janson expressed her delight at the results, saying "I am incredibly proud of our students today. These results represent two years of hard work, determination, and resilience. Behind every grade is an individual young person with their own story, ambitions, and hopes for what comes next."

To our departing cohort: thank you for your incredible contributions to the Varndean community. We wish you every success as you embark on your next chapters in higher education, apprenticeships, and beyond. 🎉

Read the full story on our website
https://www.varndean.ac.uk/news/

12/08/2026

23/07/2026

WE ARE LOOKING TO RECRUIT A SENIOR FINANCE OFFICER

Varndean Sixth Form College is a dynamic and vibrant college where creativity, aspiration and excellence thrive. Every day brings the chance to make a real difference. Our students are exceptional, curious, thoughtful and full of potential.

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Senior Finance Officer to support our Finance team. The successful candidate will assist the Finance Manager in maintaining effective financial operations, controls and compliance across the College. The successful candidate will have experience of working in a finance team/accounting practice for a minimum of three years, and a sound understanding of accounting principles and financial controls. A minimum of Level 4 AAT qualification (or actively working towards) or equivalent experience is required. Experience of working in an educational setting is not essential although it would be beneficial to the role.

The College is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are required to have an enhanced DBS check. We value the diversity of our staff and students and we particularly welcome applicants from under-represented backgrounds.

Closing date: Friday 21st August 2026

Suitable candidates may be invited to interview prior to the closing date and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

For more details of this role and how to apply, go to: https://www.varndean.ac.uk/working-for-us/

17/07/2026

NATIONAL SPEAK OUT CHALLENGE COMES TO SUSSEX

The Speakers Trust, a national charity aiming to get young people more confident in public speaking, held their National Speak Out Challenge final at The Old Market, Hove on Tuesday 7 July.

Our Assistant Principal, Jo Hambleton, was delighted to be invited to be part of a distinguished judging panel. Jo said: “there were ten secondary schools from across the county competing and each finalist had beaten tough competition to reach this stage. The standard was incredible, with students having written their own speeches on topics they were passion about. These ranged from tackling immigration, social injustice and climate change. The Speakers Trust is an incredible charity believing in the power of young people’s voice. Varndean Sixth Form College were honoured to support them.”

17/07/2026

Aspire students from Varndean Sixth Form College were enthralled with their day at Oxford University yesterday. The 20 plus students are all applying to Oxbridge for a variety of degrees next year and following dining in St John’s, toured the college and were then involved in an academic taster session.

Humanities students considered images from original newspapers from the c19th reflecting on the nature of society. STEM students were in the lab using million-pound microscopes to analyses the materials used in a 1200bc bracelet. A huge thank you to Megan, outreach worker at St John’s, who made this visit possible.

15/07/2026

That’s a wrap on our second Year 10 Taster Day! ✨

Yesterday, we welcomed 800 students from secondary schools across Sussex. They experienced four exciting subject taster sessions, attended a presentation in the hall, and got a feel for life on campus with lunch on site.

A massive thank you to all our teachers and support staff who made the day run smoothly, and to the amazing students – it was fantastic to see you all.👏