I am delighted to welcome you to Varndean College, a community where students become academically accomplished and flourish as a part of a welcoming, inspirational and close-knit family. We inspire academic excellence, high expectations and a thirst for knowledge, developing a curiosity and passion for lifelong learning.
Varndean College is an exceptional place to study at, where academic excellence thrives within a uniquely, supportive and vibrant community. Nestled against the picturesque backdrop of Brighton and the sea, Varndean College offers a transformative educational experience in a stunning location and atmosphere.
Varndean College offers a broad curriculum featuring over 30 A Levels, a wide range of vocational courses, selected GCSEs, as well as the prestigious and internationally recognised International Baccalaureate Diploma. This ensures every student can pursue their academic interests with support from dedicated staff.
We have a dynamic culture which engages staff and students, celebrates achievement, encourages innovation, and strives for continual improvement. Each and every student is valued as an individual and those who visit the College comment on how they are overwhelmed by the warmth, energy and atmosphere which makes Varndean so special.
We are proud of our impressive environment where our students experience a stimulating and enriching education characterised by academic excellence, outstanding teaching, learning and support, as well as extensive opportunities for personal development and growth. Here at Varndean College we develop our students into well-rounded, confident and free-thinking individuals, who are excited and ready to move on to the next stage of their lives. This is demonstrated in our excellent results and our value-added score which places us in the top 10% of 16-19 providers in England. Ofsted has recently recognised us as Outstanding in many areas.
Students say that one of the greatest things about studying at Varndean College is that you feel part of a community and we provide an excellent transition between school and university or employment. They enjoy the welcoming, supportive atmosphere, the sense of a ‘Varndean family’, as well as of course our academic distinction and the ability to bring out the best in everyone.
Staff are passionate about the subjects they teach, dedicated to ensuring students reach their full potential. We are tireless in our belief that a happy student is a successful student and in ensuring that all students make excellent progress here.
Beyond academics, Varndean College offers a wealth of enrichment opportunities that broaden horizons and develop crucial life skills. From leadership programs to trips and volunteering initiatives, our students graduate not only with impressive qualifications but also with the confidence and resilience to navigate their future paths with purpose.
Varndean is more than just a college; it is a place where students thrive and transform their lives. The positive experiences and friendships formed here stay with our students for life, creating a supportive network that extends far byond graduation. We take pride in being a springboard to future success, equipping our graduates with the skills, confidence, and ambition to pursue their dreams in higher education, careers, and beyond.
Recent campus enhancements, including expanded social spaces and additional classrooms, and a new outdoor amphitheatre, demonstrate our commitment to enriching the student experience and providing a supportive environment for learning and personal growth. These improvements are a testament to our ongoing dedication to excellence and innovation.
Whether your aspirations lead to university, further training, or employment, Varndean is dedicated to empowering you to achieve your goals.
Join us at Varndean College, where every student is valued, supported, and inspired to succeed. Together, let’s embark on a journey of academic excellence and personal growth.
Donna-Marie Janson, Principal and CEO
Varndean College will transform the lives of our students and our community through our provision of exceptional education.
Varndean College is very proud of the fact that students who study here do significantly better than would be expected of them based on their GCSE results they come here with.
In the Department of Education’s “16-18 Schools and Colleges Performance Table for Value Added” Varndean College is in the top 10% of UK schools and sixth form colleges.
‘Value Added’ scores are Government calculations which provide a measure as to how much more or less successful students have been by declaring how much ‘value’ has been added to their results. This means that Varndean students perform better than 99% of all other schools/sixth forms in the country compared to students with the same GCSE grades on entry. This confirms the high quality teaching support, care and guidance that takes place here.