2017 the college announced they were planning to merge with Sussex Downs College. Which on 18 April 2018, was announced to have been completed and merged. Current campuses East Sussex College, Eastbourne Cross Levels Way, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 2UF East Sussex College, Lewes 1 Mountfield Road, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2XH East Sussex College, Newhaven Training Centre, Denton Island, Newhaven, BN9 9BN East Sussex College, Hastings Station Plaza Station Approach, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1BA East Sussex College, Ore Valley Parker Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3TT East Sussex College, Automotive Centre Unit 17 & 18 Northridge Industrial Estate, Ivyhouse Lane, Haywood Way, Hastings, East Sussex, TN35 4PP Courses A variety of part-time and full-time courses are offered at the colleges including A levels, BTECs, apprenticeships and many work based vocational qualifications. Students can also study at the Sports Academy, Performing Arts Academy and East Sussex Music Academy Students East Sussex College offers a wide range of programmes for international students, with learners undertaking anything from one week courses to three years of academic study in preparation for progression to UK universities. The College has approximately 4,500 full time students under the age of 19 and 10,000+ adult learners. Staff The College has more than 1,000 staff. In January 2019, teaching staff went on strike, in response to complaints over low pay, where real pay rates for teaching staff have fallen by 25% between 2009-2019. In 2018, it was reported that the ex-Principal of Sussex Downs College was paid £200,000 per year and had been placed on gardening leave at a cost of £80,000, while the College expected to post a large annual deficit that year of £1.9m and was also making other staff redundancies. Academic results In 2014, Sussex Downs College achieved an overall A-Level pass rate of 97% with almost three quarters of students achieving higher grades of A-C. 55 subject areas achieved 100% pass rates. External evaluation In an Ofsted inspection in 2017, Sussex Downs College was rated as 'Requires Improvement'. This grade from Ofsted was the same as their previous inspection. Four key areas were identified as needing to improve: effectiveness of leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; outcomes for learners; and the 16-19 study programmes. Beacon status from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service. Artsmark Gold for its creative and performance arts education from Arts Council England. Awarded the Matrix Standard