“For Sociology, I was taught by Steve. He never missed a lesson and put so much effort into helping us as students. Then, for one day, he was away. He came back and we found out that, sadly, his dad had passed away the previous day – yet he was still pumped to support us students right away. Inspiring. He taught me resilience. How much he cared for us made me see that I could succeed.”

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Gina Dodd, studied English Literature, History and Sociology at A-Level and achieved A* grades across the board! Gina said, “I’m so happy with my grades! Tutors were really supportive and they always pushed me to work even harder. I’d definitely recommend these courses to other students, It was great. Following my results I’m going to study History at Durham University. It’s definitely worth taking all the opportunities you can get at college as it does really help you.”

Olivia Woodward-Benn achieved three Bs in Business, Economics and Sociology and was delighted to secure the grades she needs for her first choice university. “I am thankful to my lecturers, especially in Economics and Sociology, who have continued to support me during this unusual situation. I’m off to the University of West England (Bristol) to study Business Management and Economics. Due to Covid-19, rather than live in university halls, I will move in with family near the campus. I am excited to go to university, but realise it’s going to be different from my original expectations.”

Ella Sayer, 18, also from Eastbourne, obtained an A in Sociology and B grades in Philosophy and Psychology, and will follow her passion to study Criminal Psychology at the University of Sussex. Ella is the last Sayer to graduate from SDC with outstanding results, following in the path of her two brothers, Tom and Charlie. Charlie now runs a successful Sports Nutrition business and Tom has just received a First in his degree from Hertfordshire and will now become a pilot with the RAF.

Leah Darlein Weinrich completed her A-Levels in Media Studies (C), German (A), Criminology (C), and Sociology (C). Reflecting on her experience, she said, “Tutors were so supportive, they gave me constructive criticism, just amazing to work with throughout the course. I’m hoping to travel the world and take a gap year next! I’d absolutely recommend my courses, especially Sociology. My tutor Karen is so lovely.”

Eastbourne student Elysa Piccinini passed all four of her A Level exams, with an A in Italian, B in Law and Sociology and a C in Geography. Elysa is going to Royal Holloway, University of London to study Sociology and Criminology. BTEC student Grace Rolls-King achieved a triple D* (Distinction) in Health and Social Care. She is taking a gap year to work as a mentor at Willingdon School before taking up an offer from Roehampton University to study Primary Education.

The course is really great and has given me so much knowledge about law and order. We study modules about politics, psychology, sociology, what makes up an emergency incident, what makes a major incident, the different ranks within the services, how the services are run, what it takes to get into the services, health and fitness, teamwork, communication, self-discipline - there is so much.

Two A-Level students revealed their results live on air on Talk TV’s Julia Hartley Breakfast Show. One of them, Xander Smith, studied History, Business and Sociology, and had mixed emotions. He said: “I’m excited [to open my results], but I am a little bit nervous obviously - but I’m also quite chilled! The exams were ten times harder, especially as the first year was [affected by] Covid, so it feels like I’ve done a two-year course in one year.”

One of the standout aspects of the Access course for Pani was its assignment-based format, which allowed her to focus on research and in-depth learning without the stress of traditional exams. "What I appreciated most about the access course was its unique approach to learning. Personally, I thrive in an assignment-based environment," Pani explained. This approach helped her to engage deeply with the subjects and explore areas like psychology and sociology, which she found particularly fascinating.

Psychology students learnt about the range of techniques used in lie detection and how this understanding is used in the security industry, particularly at airports. Sociologists and Criminologists compared school to prison, while Law students simulated a courtroom experience and took the part of defence or prosecution.