Horsham's Collyer's offers support to Central Sussex College students

Yesterday, the Mid Sussex Times reported that the college will close its campuses at Haywards Heath and East Grinstead, making 19 staff redundant in the process.

The decision, taken due to the college’s high debts, has caused widespread sadness and anger across the community.

But Sally Bromley, the principal of Collyer’s in Hurst Road, Horsham, has offered support to students due to start their A-levels at the Haywards Heath campus this September.

In a statement issued this morning (Friday April 15), she said: “Collyer’s is happy to welcome students who had planned to take A-level courses at Central Sussex’s Sixth Form at Haywards Heath from September 2016.

“Our first priority is to ensure all young people who want to study A levels are not disadvantaged and luckily Collyer’s large campus has capacity for growth following recent development, including the opening of the new Graham Baird Building in March.

“Collyer’s will be working closely with staff at Central Sussex’s Sixth Form at Haywards Heath and schools in the local area to offer them support at this difficult time.”

She added: “Senior Collyer’s staff are arranging visits to the college and schools to speak to staff, parents and pupils about Collyer’s, transport links from Haywards Heath and the application process.

“Students who wish to study A-levels will be offered an interview for programme advice and guidance in May, prior to attendance at Collyer’s Welcome Day for all students in early July.”

Parents and students will also be able to visit Collyer’s at the summer open evening on Thursday July 7.

Central Sussex’s Haywards Heath campus, which underwent a £30million rebuild between 2011 and 2013, will stay open until students finish their courses in the summer of 2017, after which it will be sold, the college said.

The East Grinstead campus will close this September, with its courses being moved to Crawley.

MORE: Anger over decision to close Central Sussex College campuses

Council offers to help students affected by college closure

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.