Chichester College Group: Sussex's Largest Further Education Provider

Since 1964, Chichester College has offered young people across West Sussex an alternative to school sixth forms, combining A-levels with vocational pathways, apprenticeships, and specialist provision that few secondary schools can match. Now part of the Chichester College Group, the largest further education provider in Sussex, the main campus at Westgate Fields sits close to Chichester city centre while the sprawling 570-acre Brinsbury site near Pulborough caters to land-based studies. The most recent Ofsted inspection in February 2025 awarded the college Good overall, with Outstanding grades for both adult learning and apprenticeship provision. For students seeking independence, industry connections, and pathways beyond the traditional A-level route, Chichester College offers genuine breadth.

The Chichester campus reflects sixty years of evolution. Buildings from different eras cluster around shared spaces where students mix across courses and age groups. Unlike school sixth forms, there is no uniform, and students manage their own timetables between lessons. The atmosphere is purposeful rather than pressured.

Andrew Green has served as CEO of the Chichester College Group since 2021, having joined as Executive Principal in 2017 following the merger with Crawley College. Helen Loftus leads the Chichester campus specifically, taking up the principal role in August 2022 after two years as interim principal. The leadership team has overseen significant expansion, with the group now comprising seven colleges including Brighton Metropolitan, Northbrook, Worthing, Crawley, Haywards Heath, and the specialist land-based Brinsbury College.

The college welcomes over 20,000 students across the group, with around 900 studying A-levels at the Chichester campus alone. Some 4,000 are aged 16 to 18, while others are mature students returning to education. This mix creates a different social environment from school, with students learning alongside adults and those on vocational courses. At the time of the 2025 inspection, 11,281 learners were enrolled on education programmes for young people at levels 1 to 3, 3,852 adults were studying courses such as English for speakers of other languages and electrical installations, and 2,481 apprentices were working through programmes from level 2 to level 7.

The February 2025 Ofsted inspection noted that learners and apprentices value the welcoming culture that leaders and staff create. Learners with high needs enjoy the college group's inclusive culture. The college takes safeguarding seriously, with a dedicated safeguarding team experienced in supporting young people with additional needs.

A-level results at Chichester College sit below the England average. In 2024, 39% of grades achieved were A*-B, compared to the England average of 47.2%. At the top end, 2.5% of entries achieved A* grades, with 11.8% achieving A grades. The combined A*/A rate of 14.3% falls below the England average of 23.6%.

The college ranks 1,794th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the bottom 40% of providers. This positioning reflects the college's open access mission rather than selective entry.

However, the 2025 Ofsted inspection found that the quality of education is Good overall. Inspectors observed that teachers make effective use of industry-standard resources, though they noted that at times, learners do not benefit from teaching or activities that are sufficiently challenging or provide opportunities to produce work to the standard of which they are capable.

The college uses an A-level Matrix system, allowing students to select three subjects from a grid where many subjects appear in multiple columns for greater flexibility. This enables combinations that might not be possible in smaller school sixth forms. Subjects available extend beyond what most local schools offer, including options in philosophy alongside traditional choices in sciences, humanities, and languages.

Students can supplement A-levels with the Extended Project Qualification, developing independent research skills valued by universities. The CREST Award provides additional recognition for science investigation work.

Teaching is delivered by subject specialists, many with industry experience as well as academic qualifications. The college has invested in resources that distinguish it from school-based sixth forms. Well-equipped laboratories support science A-levels, while art studios, a photography darkroom, and dedicated music spaces serve creative subjects.

One of the most striking features is the custom-designed theatre supporting performing arts courses. The Riverside Theatre and Riverside Theatre Company offer students professional-standard facilities and production experience. Dance and drama studios complement the vocational performing arts programmes.

The 2025 Ofsted report highlighted that teachers make effective use of industry-standard environments to enhance learners' preparation for further study or employment. The college group's exceptional resources were noted, including immersive technology spaces across all campuses, performance and creative studios at Northbrook, and the working farm and teaching centre at Brinsbury.

Every student aged 16-19 has a Pastoral Support Tutor, meeting regularly for personal one-to-one discussions. Tutors monitor progress, track achievements, support attendance, and set targets. For students identified as at risk of not achieving their qualification, intensive tailored support helps remove barriers and get them back on track.

Student destinations from Chichester College reflect the diversity of its intake. According to 2024 leaver data, 18% of the college group's leavers progressed to university, 11% continued in further education, 6% started apprenticeships, and 40% moved directly into employment. With a cohort of nearly 4,000 students, this represents substantial numbers moving into a variety of pathways.

For university-bound students, the college offers dedicated support through its Progression+ team. Experts in admissions, careers, higher education, work experience, and apprenticeships provide guidance on applications, interview preparation, CV writing, and identifying opportunities.

In the latest measurement period, 11 students applied to Oxbridge, with one securing a place at Cambridge. While this represents a small proportion of the student body, it demonstrates that high-achieving students can progress to elite universities from a further education setting.

The college group holds a TEF Silver award for its higher education provision. Degrees are awarded in partnership with leading universities including the University of Chichester and the University of the Arts London. Students can study HNC, HND, and HTQ pathways in Business, Computing, Construction, and Engineering without leaving the college group, benefiting from lower fees than traditional universities.

The Progression Promise Guarantee welcomes applications from students across the seven CCG campuses for any university-level course within the group, provided they are on track to complete a level 3 qualification successfully.

Chichester College operates open admissions for most courses, reflecting its mission to serve the community rather than select an intake. Applications for September 2026 entry are now open, with students encouraged to apply early as popular courses fill quickly.

The application process is straightforward. Students search for their chosen course on the college website and click the apply button. An acknowledgement letter confirms receipt within two weeks. For A-levels, students will need to meet minimum GCSE requirements in relevant subjects, though these are typically less demanding than selective school sixth forms.

For university-level courses starting in autumn 2026, the main UCAS deadline is 14 January 2026. Alternatively, students can apply directly through the college website.

Open events provide opportunities to explore the campus and speak with staff. The next scheduled open event is on 8 November 2025, with another on 5 March 2026. Booking is recommended for these events.

Contact the admissions team at admissions@chichester.ac.uk or by telephone on 01243 786321 for guidance on courses, entry requirements, or the application process.

Student support extends well beyond academic tutoring. The Student Services team handles everything from financial advice to personal difficulties that affect studies. A dedicated Wellbeing Service provides emotional and mental health support.

For students with learning difficulties or disabilities, the Additional Learning Support team makes reasonable adjustments to ensure college is accessible and rewarding. Specialist support covers neurodiverse conditions including dyslexia, as well as learning and physical disabilities. Adaptive equipment and software are available for students with hearing or visual impairments.

Financial support aims to ensure that money never prevents someone from studying. Staff help students identify and access available funding, from bursaries to travel support.

Specific support exists for care-experienced young people, young refugees, and asylum seekers, assisting their transition through college. The inclusive culture highlighted in the 2025 Ofsted report particularly benefits learners with high needs, who make up around 250 of the student population.

ACES sessions, covering attitude, choices, employment, and skills, are timetabled for all students, developing employability and life skills alongside academic studies.

The campus facilities support a genuine college experience. The state-of-the-art gym features equipment including an AirRunner, Functional Trainer, cardio suite, plate-loaded equipment, and designated weight lifting platforms. It is free for all international students and available at low cost for others.

The sports centre includes a large sports hall with one of the largest climbing walls in the South of England, alongside an astroturf pitch, tennis courts, badminton and netball courts, and grass rugby and football pitches. The Pavilion provides bar and function rooms for events.

Performing Arts

The Riverside Theatre hosts professional-standard productions throughout the year. The in-house Riverside Theatre Company gives performing arts students genuine production experience, from acting and technical theatre to front-of-house roles.

Specialist Facilities

Cafe 19 and 64 Restaurant and Bar, named for the year the college was founded, allow hospitality students to gain experience in different restaurant styles including silver service. State-of-the-art kitchens opened in 2016 provide industry-standard training environments.

The Lee Stafford Hair Salon and Oasis Beauty Spa operate as working salons where students gain real client experience while offering services to the public. For those studying travel and tourism, there is even a real aircraft fuselage for cabin crew training.

Sports Clubs

Active sports clubs cover a range of activities, making use of the extensive facilities. The competitive environment sits alongside recreational participation, allowing students to continue sports from school or try something new.

The main Chichester campus is located at Westgate Fields, close to Chichester city centre. Brinsbury campus sits in 570 acres of countryside near Pulborough, on the edge of the South Downs National Park.

For students needing accommodation, Woodlands Halls houses those aged 16-17 while Westgate Halls accommodates students over 18.

Term begins in early September, with an induction week for new students. Enrolment Week for 2026 runs Tuesday 1 September to Friday 4 September, with Induction Week following from Monday 7 September to Friday 11 September 2026.

Transport links serve the campus from across the region, with bus services and parking available.

A-level results below average. With 39% of grades at A*-B against an England average of 47%, students seeking top grades will face a statistical disadvantage. High-achieving students need to be self-motivated and may benefit from seeking additional challenge.

Open access means mixed peer groups. Unlike selective sixth forms, students work alongside peers of all abilities. Some thrive in this inclusive environment; others may prefer more academically homogeneous settings.

Teaching challenge noted by Ofsted. Inspectors found that teaching and activities are not always sufficiently challenging for learners to produce work to the standard of which they are capable. This suggests students need to advocate for extension opportunities.

Attendance requires monitoring. Ofsted highlighted attendance, particularly in GCSE courses, as an area for improvement. Students managing their own time need discipline to maintain attendance patterns.

Chichester College offers something genuinely different from school sixth forms. The scale of provision, breadth of pathways, industry-standard facilities, and open access create opportunities that selective environments cannot match. The 2025 Ofsted inspection confirmed Good overall effectiveness, with Outstanding apprenticeship and adult provision demonstrating strength beyond the traditional A-level route.

Best suited to independent-minded students who thrive with greater autonomy, those seeking vocational or mixed programmes alongside academic study, and anyone wanting to study in an adult environment alongside industry-connected facilities. Students purely focused on maximising A-level grades for elite university applications may find the statistical outcomes and mixed ability environment less aligned to their goals. For everyone else, the college provides a supportive, well-resourced stepping stone to the next stage of life.