SUSSEX Downs College has once again been told by inspectors it must do better.

The college - which has bases in Lewes, Newhaven and Eastbourne - received a poor report two years ago.

New Principal Mike Hopkins vowed at the time he was determined to make the college excellent.

But two years on the college has once again been told that it ‘requires improvement.’

The report says that more work needs to be done in four key areas:

- Effectiveness of leadership and management

- Quality of teaching, learning and assessment

- Outcomes for learners

-16-19 study programmes.

Mr Hopkins is set to leave the college in March when it merges with Sussex Coast College Hastings.

He said: “Against a back-drop of funding cuts in further education, and a significant programme of change-management, I am pleased that Ofsted has recognised and highlighted the tireless work of teachers, managers and governors to turn matters around.

“We still have a significant task ahead of us but we move forward in the knowledge that we are making progress across the entire college and its 5,600 students.”

Henry Ball, chair of Governors, said governors agreed with the Ofsted judgements.

He said: “The work of Mike, his senior team, teachers and my board of governors remains very focused on and committed to achieving a good grading.”