Over 60 year 12 teenagers have just graduated from the Sussex Study Experience – a programme of subject-based university-style tuition for AS level pupils.

The 16- and 17-year-olds exhibited the work they had carried out during the year and took part in a “graduation” ceremony on campus which was attended by parents, teachers and university student ambassadors.

Chris Mason, Widening Participation Events lead, said: “Getting parents to engage in activities at university can be difficult. But by offering a programme of information, advice and guidance, as well as the opportunity to see their sons and daughters “graduate” in full gowns and mortar boards, it meant we had an excellent turn-out.”

Valerie Morgan-Black, parent of Tamekah from Acland Burghley School in London, said: “My daughter has really enjoyed this programme – and talks about university all the time."

The students chose from English, History, Media, History and Media, Law, Art History, and Physics, and received tuition in each. They were all given certificates from the university academics who had taught them.

Another parent said: “The SSE has encouraged my son to bridge the gap from childhood to becoming a young adult. He has had to think independently for himself and has gained lots of confidence. It has been brilliant.”

The subject strands were taught by the following tutors:

• English: Professor Keston Sutherland, Dr Denis DeCaires Narain and Dr Bill McEvoy
• History: Suzanne Rose and Alexa Neal
• Media: Ryan Burns and Carolina Oliveira 
• History and Media: Dr Sian Edwards, Dr Christopher Warne, Martyn Cox and Peter Harte
• Law: Dr Verona Ni Drisceoil, David Davies, Mary Frances Lukera, Stavros Demetriou and Po-Han Lee
• Art History: Alexandra Lose, Professor Michelle O’Malley, Dr Ben Burbridge, Michele Robinson and Simon Lane
• Physics: Dr Darren Baskill and Dr Jonathan Hare.

Carole Nairn, Head of Widening Participation, said: “Everyone should be proud of the young people here. We know that year 12 is an extremely busy year so we appreciate the enormous effort these young people have made.”