Bringing you local and national news, updates and commentary from across the sector.
The Department for Education have updated their guidance on Free School Meals for 26-27 academic year.
Our mission is bold and unambiguous: to take social mobility from beyond the realms of the already initiated few and place it firmly in the mainstream, in our newspapers, on our televisions, across our social media feeds, and around our kitchen tables.
The government has agreed to protect relationships between children in care and their siblings.
The strategy is underpinned by five working principles, which are a commitment to how we will work together as a partnership. These are: taking a child/young person-centred approach, co-production, inclusion and accessibility, early intervention and prevention, and strong multi-agency working.
UCAS has announced it is expanding its application fee waiver to cover care leavers up to age 26* across the UK from the 2027 cycle, in a bid to encourage more to apply to university or college.
A third of parents and carers in Brighton and Hove are going without food, heating or other essentials, or borrowing money, to pay for their children’s journey to school, according to new research published in January 2026.
Uni Connect is made up of partnerships between universities, colleges and local organisations to help school and college students understand their higher education options.
This report explores how, despite major social and political upheaval, Britain’s elite remain dominated by privately educated, Russell Group graduates.
This new report explores how educators and young men are navigating gender, identity, and mental health in today’s classrooms.
The charity Become have published their new research showing shocking number of children in care are being moved during exams.
The Sutton Trust’s report provides a detailed look at the geography of opportunity and social mobility in England.
The Uni Connect programme, run in Sussex by the Sussex Learning Network, partners with universities, colleges, and local organisations to help school and college students explore higher education options.
It’s National Apprenticeship Week (LINK) from 6-12 Feb, creating the perfect opportunity to get students thinking about this valuable progression pathway…
The student researcher project which Sussex Learning Network’s further education team contributed to has received recognition in a British Educational Research Association article.
Read about the Office for Students’ new priorities for access and participation and why a coordinated approach across the education sector is needed to deliver these, in Professor Antony Moss’ blog.
We currently work with 60% of state schools and every Further Education college across Sussex. Each year, we check in with them to ensure the work we are doing is affecting the educational lives of young people in the most impactful way possible. Here’s what our Uni Connect Leads told us this year…
In 2017, the Uni Connect Programme was launched by the Office for Students (OfS), with the aim of inspiring aspiration and progression amongst student groups currently underrepresented in Higher Education…
We are kicking off the new academic year with the first of our Uni Connect Forums on 5th October. Sign up today to secure your place…
The innovative European Social Funded project, Careers Beyond Covid (CBC) bridges the gap between 16-30 year olds struggling to find employment, and high growth employers in the Coast to Capital region. As part of CBC, we are seeking an experienced organisation to join us in delivering support to 250 unemployed young people. Could your organisation be the right fit?
Sussex Learning Network is inviting all community organisations across Sussex that encourage aspiration amongst young learners to apply for new grants from its SLN Community Fund.
Plumpton College, in partnership with The Drinks Trust and Wines of Great Britain, is offering a free, four-week Entry to the Wine Industry Academy course aimed at helping jobseekers gain entry-level skills and knowledge to achieve employment in this sector.
How do we ensure that the courses and qualifications offered in Sussex today meet tomorrow’s labour market needs? This is the question Sussex Learning Network seeks to answer in its recently published Labour Market Demand and Supply Study.
The SLN has collaborated with - East Sussex College Group collaboration to provide careers expertise for those interested in working for green organisations. Resources include an online resource, the Greener Careers Sussex Directory and sector specific LMI.
To mark National Careers Week (7 – 12 March), SLN’s flagship careers programme Get Career Confident (GCC) will be putting out daily challenges & bitesize useful information across its platforms on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Currently 10 schools and sixth-forms throughout Sussex are receiving additional funding from the Uni Connect 2022 Schools Fund to deliver bespoke in-school projects. Devised by the schools, the projects focus on encouraging aspiration and attainment among young learners currently under-represented in higher education.
From children with SEND to young travellers, the Uni Connect Community Fund 2022 is supporting a wide range of young people across Sussex through innovative programmes that encourage and inspire them to progress in education.
Careers Beyond Covid is a brand new programme connecting 16-30 year olds and employers across the Coast to Capital LEP. We are looking to recruiting a talented and experienced Project Administrator to support in the planning and implementation of the project.
We are looking for individuals who have experience of working with a wide range of students in an educational setting preferably with knowledge / experience of working with groups that are under-represented in Higher Education.
A coaching project funded by SLN Uni Connect has resulted in a significant increase in students’ confidence and ability to cope with their anxieties about GCSE resits and improved their performance and attendance.
Join stage combat instructor Tom Jordan for an introduction to the world of unarmed stage combat.
The Uni Connect programme in Sussex is inviting local schools and sixth forms to apply for grants to support in-school projects that encourage aspiration and attainment among young learners currently under-represented in higher education.
Back for 2022 is Brighton and Sussex Medical School’s BrightIdeas programme. This free initiative offers students in Year 12 or their first year of college the opportunity to complete a certificated, medicine-focused research project.
Eastbourne-based Holding Space is running a six-week training programme to help parents/carers of children with mental health issues to navigate the tween and teen years.
Looking to develop your skills and experience through varied project work with young people? SLN Uni Connect has some exciting vacancies in its partner FE colleges.
From Monday 25th to Sunday 31st October it’s National Care Leavers' Week 2021, an opportunity to review the support available for care leavers in the UK and celebrate their successes – something that is a key part of our work at SLN.
Greater Brighton Metropolitan College will be holding a series of free, weekly virtual Q&As for local people interested in studying a creative degree.
Eastbourne-based project Holding Space has organised a series of training sessions and meet-ups for parents/carers whose children are struggling with mental health issues.
Steering children through GCSE, BTEC and A-Level choices, exams and applying for a university place or apprenticeship can be tricky for parents/carers
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The big wait is over for those anticipating their A level and GCSE results, and the Get Career Confident (GCC) team was on hand with advice and support for Sussex students.
We are delighted that, following a long period of consultation, we have just received news from the Office for Student that the Uni Connect programme will continue to be supported with a £40 million budget across England…
We're excited to bring you our latest edition of SLN Now, packed full of news, insights and information on events and resources to check out. Don't miss out! Sign up today to make sure it comes direct to your inbox each month.
Learn new skills. Make new friends. Build confidence. The Get Career Confident programme has compiled a list of things for young people to do over the summer.
Do you know a Year 13 student in Sussex who's still considering their next step? Then join us for the It’s Not Too Late webinars on Wednesday 26th May at 6pm.
Two SLN-commissioned reports are contributing to the creation of a pan-Sussex strategy to improve the delivery of education during the pandemic.
Get Career Confident launches social media challenge for National Careers Week and highlights its support and resources for students, parents and teachers.
Sussex Learning Network has launched a two-pronged initiative to help families across the region cope with anxiety.
Sussex Learning Network has launched two new toolkits for students and teachers this month as part of its Role Models programme.
Office for Students seeks views on new approach to Uni Connect
Please note the consultation closed on Tuesday 19th January.
Students take part in the first ever cross-county virtual pathways event
Providing IT kit, learning resources and mental health support for local families
Register today to join our new virtual fair which showcases progression pathways for students aged 16 plus.
The government sets plans to transform training and skills.
Boost in funding to support young people’s skills and tackle unemployment.
Free one-to-one careers interviews available to Sussex students.
Free educational resources list from the Department of Education.
City & Guilds report calls for urgent need to review adult education.
New report reveals gap between young people’s aspirations and available jobs.
City & Guilds and NOCN report calls for urgent upskilling of the workforce.
