We want to fill these pages with news about former Kingsmead Sixth form students to keep the Kingsmead community aware of what people are up to and to inspire current sixth formers to keep aiming high.

Here are a few stories to get things started.  To find out more, follow the links below.  We hope to add many more. 

Billie Achilleos (6th form student 2001-2003)

I hope Kingsmead is still as great a school as it was when I was there. I really feel it served me well and gave me the confidence I needed to make my way in the future. I'm holding stead fast to remain self employed in film and theatre production. 

You can follow Billie at http://blog.billieachilleos.co.uk

Pembe (6th Form student 2008 - 2010)

I’m currently at the University of Birmingham studying English (mainly literature with a smidgen of Language). At Kingsmead I studied English Lit, History, Sociology and Media.

University has been great so far, really loving it!  In order to get to university make sure you do your work, and that your coursework is the very best it can be as it will guarantee a better grade for you.

University is very different, it’s in the form of lectures and seminars; you have much more freedom as you already know. It really is good; you’ll meet so many people, a lot of odd balls and posh folk, but generally everyone’s proper nice. Try to learn how to cook before you come though, I didn’t...bad idea. Money’s a big issue; I'm in my third week and have 0 pounds. Make sure you work hard and have a good time at 6^th Form because you’ll miss it.

Sophia (6th Form student 2008 - 2010)

The difference between School and University is quite dramatic, firstly for the first time you'll have to budget and this will include things you'd never even thought about before e.g. toilet paper, milk, bread - all the boring stuff! Budgeting is proving to be a difficult task for me at the moment, so I'd definitely encourage you to start saving now.

Trust me, it is definitely worth going the nightlife in Brighton is crazy and it’s not too far away from London either. The people here are lovely and very friendly which is a big plus. The accommodation is nice too, especially my en-suite room, however the way you are taught is MASSIVELY different! There is no spoon feeding at Uni, you have to be an 'independent learner' is what they tell you and you have lots and lots of reading and note taking to do during lectures, which I am only just adjusting to now.
 
Being at Sussex University, the facilities are great, the library is huuuuuge, the gym is good (I've heard, haven't actually been), there's loads of cafes and bars on campus plus grocery shops. All in all, university is definitely an opportunity to grab with both hands, but just be lucky you’re at Kingsmead for the time being, because it truly was an amazing school where help is readily available. Good luck to everyone who is thinking about going to university, and I definitely recommend Sussex University to anyone, being by the seaside is like being on

holiday and never coming back! 

Monique (6th Form Student 2008 - 2010)

Sixth Form was an excellent foundation for university. I found that it was a great form of preparation for what university had in store. There’s a lot of information I learnt from Sixth Form, which has been absolutely helpful for the course I am currently studying (Business with Accounting).

Higher education was for me, as I don’t mind studying and doing work independently. I think these are very important factors to consider, when deciding to go university. I also wanted a course recognised by accounting firms, for training purposes in the near future.

University allows you to branch your mind, and meet different people. The social life is a real experience!

Raphaella (6th Form student 2009 - 2011)

I'm studying Psychology and Criminal Behaviour at the University of Bedfordshire.

When I first came to the university, I was quite nervous about the course itself, but also about moving into my accommodation as I had never met any of my flat mates.

My accommodation is quite basic, but once you sort your room out and make it cosy, it soon starts to feel slightly more like home.  I get on really well with my flatmates, which I’m really happy about because that was one of my worries.

The starting experience overall has been really good and enjoyable, but challenging at the same time.

I’ve also made a lot of friends in and out of the university, and that’s through my course, going out to all the different social events and just from people living in my block.

My course is very interesting and I’m enjoying it, although I’m quite nervous for my assignments, but it’s okay because you’re not completely alone and there is still help available.

I think university life gives you quite a bit of independence and that has been nice, but it also makes you realise the things you miss when you’re living at home, for example: watching TV whenever you want to or always having food in the house.

If you'd like to share your successes since leaving Kingsmead's Sixth Form, please use the contact us form on the front page to send information to Mrs Young.