Student Welfare
Sussex Downs College teaches you about physical, mental, emotional and sexual health, and healthy lifestyles and drugs in your tutorial sessions. Sometimes these subjects will come up in your lessons too.
If you look around the college you will find posters and information on some of these subjects. In the Eastbourne (Vocational Campus) and Lewes common rooms you can find our cross college Student Liaison Officer Kitty Tucker, who can give you more information:.
Kitty Tucker
Cross College Student Liaison Officer
email: kitty.tucker@sussexdowns.ac.uk
Personal Tutor Support
Talk to your tutor first if you are having problems with any issues at college. They will know what options will help you to do well at college, and after college too.
Find out about Personal Tutors
Counselling
The College provides a free and confidential counselling service to help you with anything that concerns you. You can arrange to see a counsellor through a Lecturer, a Personal Tutor or you can make an appointment in Student Services.
You can talk to:
Alex Suffolk at Park College
Tuesday Afternoons and Fridays
Gemma and Alison at EVoC
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings
Kara, Gemma and Alison at Lewes
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays
Ask your tutor or come to Student Services
in confidence to make an appointment We are here to help!
Sports, clubs and events
We also run sports development and enrichment classes, like after school clubs, to help you get fit and be more active. There are lots of clubs and activities at the college, which you can sign up for. Talk to your tutor to find out what options are available at your campus.
Find out more about sport at the college
Healthy eating and living
The college canteens provide healthy options so that you can eat well and stay healthy. The college runs counselling and sexual health services on our main campuses. There is often advice and information given by people outside the college.
Find out more about healthy living
 Harassment (or Bullying)
Sussex Downs College expects all College members, students and staff, to treat each other with courtesy and respect. We seek to provide a safe and civilised learning environment where students and staff can enjoy and achieve. If you feel that you are being harassed by fellow students, or by members of staff, please report this to your Personal Tutor. The report will be treated as confidential but the College will work to bring such behaviour to an end. Harassment of others is subject to disciplinary procedures which could lead to exclusion. This applies equally where computers or mobile phones are used to harass or humiliate others.
[PDF: Anti-Bullying Policy]
Find out more about staying safe
Student ID Cards
All full time students and many part time students will receive a student photo ID card at the start of their course.
You must carry this card at all times while on the College premises and show the card whenever asked to do so by a member of staff. This is for safety and security reasons. If you refuse to show your card or identify yourself you could be asked to leave the College premises. Please look after your card – there is a small replacement charge if you lose it.
Disibility Equality
The college is running a campaign on disability and equality, making sure that everyone gets treated the same, and that everyone feels valued. You will see posters around the campus giving more details of this.
Find out more about disibility equality at the college.
Financial Support
The college has money available to help students who need financial support. At the beginning of each year students can sell their old books, or exchange them for new ones.
New: Click here if you are 24 or over and would like a learning loan.
Travel
There is some support available to students using public transport, and you can purchase a railcard for young people that makes your train travel cheaper. Students can get advice on tickets and funding for travel to college from Student Services.
How to get to the Lewes Campus | How to get to the Eastbourne Campus | How to get to Newhaven Campus
Discounts
You can get discounts in lots of shops, both for college supplies and for personal items with your student card.
For more information on nationwide student discounts visit www.nus.org.uk
Student Executive
The Student Council is a great way to get involved and do something positive. They make all sorts of decisions on student welfare, events, and even the ways you are taught! There are elections once a year, and anyone can stand.
Find out more about Student Voice at the college
Supporting Charities
The college puts on lots of charity events during the year. The charities can be chosen by the student council, by the classes holding the event, or if you want to raise money you can suggest a charity yourself.
See the latest Charity News at the college
Volunteering
If you want to get involved in activities outside of college there is a list of voluntary organisations, both locally and nationally. This can range from one off opportunities, to year long gap years, like Camp America. We also post volunteering opportunities on our Job Shop website.
Environmental Awareness
The college also holds Green Travel days several times a year. These events raise awareness of green issues, such as reducing your carbon footprint and recycling.
