THE PRINCIPAL of a struggling college has set out his vision for the future a year after taking up the post.

Mike Hopkins joined Sussex Downs College - which has campuses in Lewes, Newhaven and Eastbourne - on September 1 2015.

He said at the time that he was looking forward to turning the college into a driver of economic growth and an engine of social mobility.

But three months after he started, Ofsted inspectors produced a poor report about Sussex Downs College and said improvements were needed.

It was told to improve leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; outcomes for learners; and the 16-19 study programmes.

Now Mr Hopkins has launched an action plan which he hopes will improve the college's fortunes.

Called the ‘Four Pillars of Excellence’ the plan will focus on sixth form ‘A’ Level provision: vocational professional and technical education and training; adult learning, including higher education and international courses; and skill solutions, including apprenticeships.

He said: "These pillars allow us to focus on the key provision offered by Sussex Downs College and provide a strong vision for the future of education across the region.

"By creating these four pillars, we are placing a greater focus on individual learning and training experiences. The ‘Four Pillars of Excellence’ help to explain our offer with clarity and vision”.

"The new approach will come into place from September 2017 across our campuses, following a transitional year.

"We have a lot of very good practice and achievement of which we are justly proud and we are striving for excellence across all of our provision.

"Last year’s Ofsted Report, combined with my arrival, and the Board’s huge support for the college, have acted as a catalyst for creative development and innovation leading to improvement and success."

Sussex Downs College is the largest provider of further education in East Sussex, serving 13,000 students from over 60 schools in the area and offering 400 qualifications.