Varndean College

A good further education school in Brighton and Hove. Explore Ofsted ratings, admissions information, and performance data for Varndean College.

Brighton, BN16WQ Ofsted: Good Age 16-99 Mixed intake
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Performance Score

Overall school rating

48

/ 100

Sixth Form Only weighted harmonic mean of 3 indicators

Indicators used for Sixth Form Only schools

Continue in education or training
32.1
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 40.0%
Raw: 39.0%
Sustained employment
71.5
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 30.0%
Raw: 36.0%
Ofsted inspection outcome
75.0
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 30.0%
Raw: Good

How we weight each phase

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Primary schools

  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 40.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Secondary schools

  • Progress 8 score 40.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

All-through schools

  • Progress 8 score 25.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 15.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Secondary with Sixth Form schools

  • Progress 8 score 20.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • Continue in education or training 20.0%
  • Sustained employment 20.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Sixth Form Only schools

  • Continue in education or training 40.0%
  • Sustained employment 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Special schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Alternative Provision schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Independent schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Ofsted Inspection

Official inspection outcomes

Good
Overall effectiveness
Good
Last inspected
05 March 2024
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour & attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Effective

Source: Ofsted inspection outcomes. Grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate.

Contact Information

How to reach this school

Source: GIAS
Address
Surrenden Road
Brighton, BN16WQ
Phone
1273508011
Website
varndean.ac.uk/

Location

Find the school on the map

Source: Geocoding
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School Information

Basic details and characteristics

Source: GIAS
URN
130668
Type
Further education
Phase
Sixth Form Only
Address
Surrenden Road, Brighton, BN1 6WQ
Website
https://varndean.ac.uk/
Age range
16-99
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Does not apply
School status
Open
Setting
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Sixth Form
No
Nursery
No

School Performance Data

Official government statistics

Source: DfE

Real Success Rates

What happens to students after they leave this school

Continue Education
39.0%
University, college, or sixth form
Enter Employment
36.0%
Full or part-time jobs
Start Apprenticeships
3.0%
Learning while earning
Not in Education or Work
15.0%
NEET - needs support

Sixth Form University Progression

Where sixth form students go after graduation

University Progression
27%
Quality: Below Average
Sixth Form Size
886 students
Per cohort
Apprenticeships
3.0%

Calculated Fields

Derived insights and analysis

Source: Calculated

Subjects This School Excels At

Subjects where students perform significantly above national average

Art & Design (3d Studies) (GCE A level)
★★★★★
(41 students)
Art & Design (Graphics) (GCE A level)
★★★★★
(48 students)
Childcare Skills (VRQ Level 3)
★★★★ ★
(16 students)
Art & Design (Photography) (GCE A level)
★★★★ ★
(57 students)
Mathematics (GCE A level)
★★★★ ★
(55 students)

Strong performance in 5 subjects

From the School Website

Information extracted from the school's own website

Source: School Website

Ethos & Values

"Transforming lives through exceptional education"

We inspire academic excellence, high expectations and a thirst for knowledge, developing a curiosity and passion for lifelong learning. We have a dynamic culture which engages staff and students, celebrates achievement, encourages innovation, and strives for continual improvement. We enable true social mobility for all student groups providing the environment, support and opportunities that every student needs to succeed in order to narrow gaps within society. Equality and diversity is at the heart of all we do. We promote understanding and respect for different cultures and communities, in college, locally and globally. We provide excellent opportunities for enrichment, well-being and pastoral support so that we build resilient, happy and successful students who flourish in life. Environmental sustainability is at our core, we are committed to carbon literacy, becoming carbon neutral and developing our estate as an area of biodiversity. We believe in inspirational governance, leadership and management and invest in our staff, empowering a confident, diverse and energised workforce. We responsibly use public funds and provide value for money to safeguard the financial stability of the College to bring maximum benefit to our local community

Head Teacher's Message

Donna-Marie Janson, Principal and CEO, welcomes visitors to Varndean Sixth Form College, describing it as a community where students become academically accomplished within a welcoming, inspirational and close-knit family. The message emphasises transforming lives through exceptional education, high expectations and a thirst for knowledge, and fostering lifelong learning.

Facilities

STEM Centre (opened 2022, £2.9m) Expanded social spaces and additional classrooms New outdoor amphitheatre

Curriculum Highlights

Over 30 traditional A Levels A wide range of Advanced Level Vocational Courses International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Foundation Level courses

Admissions Criteria

IB Diploma requires seven GCSEs at grades 6-9 including English, Maths and Science. For A Levels a mixture of seven GCSEs at grades 9-6 including English, Maths and Science. For 3 A Levels a mix of at least 6 GCSEs at grades 9-4 including English. A mixed Level 3 programme requires at least five GCSEs at grades 9-4 including English. Foundation Level requires at least 4 GCSEs at Grade 3, including English, with at least one GCSE at grade 4 or above. Any student who has not achieved a grade 4 or C in GCSE English and/or Maths must include further study of these subjects in their programme.

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