THE merger between Sussex Coast College Hastings and Sussex Downs College has now been completed.

The new East Sussex College Group will consist of five main campuses.

Two are in Hastings, one in Eastbourne, one in Lewes, and one in Newhaven, making it the biggest further education provider in East Sussex.

Clive Cooke, CEO of East Sussex College Group, said: “A key aim is to become the strong champion and strategic leader of further education and learning, with excellent progression opportunities for students across East Sussex.

“Our merger has been a long and complex process but we have all worked tremendously hard to make sure that it has gone as smoothly as it could have.

“Over the past few months, we have appointed a new senior leadership team who will work with our talented people to ensure that we deliver exceptional teaching standards to help our students achieve the best outcomes they can.

“Together we are creating a modern college group with an exciting vision. Central to this is each of our campuses becoming beacons of excellence within their vibrant communities of Lewes, Eastbourne, Hastings and Newhaven.

“We aim to make them all the go-to-college for their communities.”