Vision and Values

East Sussex Skills Academy is industry driven; enables enterprise opportunities; is underpinned by rigour and supported by strong partnerships. Students experience simulated work environments within six broad vocational areas. They study valued vocational qualifications alongside traditional core academic subjects, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum.

Industry Driven

Staff model and promote appropriate behaviours and industry expectations. Students will wear work appropriate uniforms, adhere to our behaviour standards, undertake probationary reviews and appraisals and are supported to develop the characteristics required for success in East Sussex Skills Academyand beyond.

Students benefit from a wide range of experiences and pastoral support; underpinned by consistent practice, expectations and standards. The vocational learning environment simulates work settings with high quality equipment and ‘pod’ classrooms with ICT capability for theory and assessment work.

Enterprise

Engagement with local communities through enterprise initiatives are key: Weekly enterprise sessions give students opportunities to consolidate their vocational learning through the application of their newly acquired knowledge and skills.

Rigour

Expectations and aspirations are high. Students referred to East Sussex Skills Academy will have barriers to accessing a traditional mainstream curriculum and will benefit from our engaging, kinaesthetically focused, yet balanced curriculum with significant careers input and support. Key stage 3 students will see if East Sussex Skills Academy is the right setting for them in Key Stage 4, or will alternatively return to their mainstream schools with renewed focus, aspiration and ambition and a handful of entry level qualifications. Key stage 4 students will progress at the end of year 11 with significant attainment, confidence and a thorough knowledge of the world of work and their place within this.

Outstanding practice from existing schools underpins the rigour of the curriculum, teaching and learning, behaviour management and the pastoral system. High quality Maths, English and Science tuition ensures students develop core knowledge and skills in these areas and can transfer them to industry settings. Students benefit from significant expertise and the Sabden ethos of creating a warm, caring, stable, supportive environment in which all staff and students feel safe.

Partnerships

East Sussex Skills Academy is engaging with the Careers and Enterprise Company’s Enterprise Advisor Scheme and is seeking strategic support from employers to continuously develop the curriculum and wider offer in line with industry standards and local needs.

We welcome school representatives, students and their parents/carers, employers and community from across East Sussex. The physical environment sets the tone as a high quality and aspirational Free School which supports all students to develop the knowledge, skills and characteristics required to thrive.