SUSSEX DOWNS COLLEGE shows the range of thinking and quality of tutor and student input with a visit to Portsmouth University prior to Christmas. The conference gave students an opportunity to attend lectures and engage with the university experience from an international perspective. Bay Life will be following the work of tutors and students at the college through 2016—Bay Life, 31 January 2016
On Monday 14 December, Sussex Downs College Humanities teachers Justin Diffey, Steve Bassett and Diana Smith, took a delegation of 35 students from both the Eastbourne and Lewes campuses to the University of Portsmouth for their Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Year 12 conference.
The conference was attended by delegates from 6th form and FE colleges across the South of England and provided students with an exciting opportunity to visit a university, get a feel for university teaching and learning, as well as engage in an academic conference reflecting a number of subject areas.
Designed as a challenging and extending experience, the students on the trip eagerly attended lectures given by university academics on topics ranging from ‘Contemporary Jihadism’ (Politics), ‘Sociological perspectives on anti-immigration attitudes’ (Sociology) and ‘Jane Austen; Sex, Zombies and Vampires!’ (English Literature) to name but a few. Many of these topics were relevant to students’ current A Level studies so they were able to draw on the experience in lessons when they return to Sussex Downs.
Sociology teacher Justin Diffey added, ‘The sessions were excellent and feedback from the students was very positive. The students were well looked after by the university who also supplied course information and a range of delicious refreshments. A very successful day and a big thank you to the team at Portsmouth University who organised the conference.’
