Sussex College's Petition For Support

4 February 2019, 12:29 | Updated: 4 February 2019, 14:36

A petition to save a Sussex college from possible closure has been signed by more than 2,000 thousand people.

DV8 Sussex in Brighton has been rated inadequate by Ofsted inspectors who found too few students achieved high grades in GCSE English and Maths. Their report also said tutors did not have high enough expectations for their students.

The college says as a result of the inadequate rating a formal process has been triggered that has led to an immediate suspension of student recruitment within this year and its 2019/20 contract being placed on hold, pending review. 

In a statement on its Facebook page, the college said, "If Dv8 were not to deliver in Sussex next year, there would be around 200 students having to find an alternative college in September to meet their needs. 

"Around 100 students would be in the middle of two-year courses, around 20 High-Needs students who are settled and supported at Dv8 would need to find an alternative college. 

"There is a real risk that a number of our students would not find suitable provision and may become disengaged from education completely.   the college has been told it can't recruit anymore students this year and has had its 2019/2020 contract put on hold.

It has started an online petition calling on parents, students, stakeholders and partner agencies to support the college and the work it does with vulnerable local young people. It  is urging them to come forward with stories about their experiences with the college and the unique services it provides.