Success Stories

From Parkstone Grammar School to Rockley College to Superyachts - Ruby plans on travelling the world with ambitions of pursuing a career in the yachting industry. After graduating from Rockley College, Ruby went on to complete her Deckhand course with Flying Fish and started working towards her PBI, PWCI and Advanced PADI to broaden her knowledge and qualifications. She is hoping to fly out to Antibes and find a deck job on a superyacht at the beginning of the next season.

"I would 100% recommend Rockley - they have helped me grow so much over the past two years. The memories I have gained during my time with them is something I would not have experienced had I chosen standard A-Levels."

Self described as outgoing, enthusiastic and self-motivated - these attributes are pretty evident. Harrison has achieved plenty since graduating from Rockley College and has a some clear career goals! Having graduated with his RYA Dinghy Instructor and RYA Windsurf Instructor qualifications, he then went on to achieve his Yachtmaster Offshore qualification with UKSA and hopes to soon achieve his Officer of the Watch 3000gt qualification.

"I would 100% recommend Rockley College. I have made some sick friends, the course itself was so much fun and I also achieved so many qualifications including my RYA Dinghy Instructor and RYA Windsurf Instructor."

From former Rockley College student to Guest Experience Manager at Buddens Activity Centre, Jo is now a full-time employee at Rockley! Over the years, she has completely immersed herself in working in all areas of the business and now loves the outdoor space and opportunities that working at Buddens offers. 

"I've always loved being outdoors and A-Levels never really gave me the option for that. The course boosted my confidence massively. Yes you have to work hard but there is always so much support and so many opportunities."

Fresh from her A-levels having studied Sociology, English language and PE at Ringwood School, Verity spent a lot of time on the water with the Sea Scouts and confesses that sailing and kayaking are “her thing.” Verity did plenty of research when it came to her next steps. Verity has plans to pursue a career in this industry and is considering going to university to study Sports Coaching after the apprenticeship programme. She considers this the perfect interim.

“I didn’t want to go to uni and felt that a hands-on apprenticeship was something that I would really benefit from. I enjoy everything outdoorsy, and this opportunity which included watersports really appealed to me.”

After leaving Rockley, Connor went on to study Outdoor Adventure Education at Marjon University and is really enjoying learning new skills in Outdoor Adventure and exploring the cliffs in Spain. Alongside university, Connor has taken up a career as a Mariner with the British Army. 

“After studying at Rockley, life has been full of amazing opportunities and life experiences. Rockley has helped me gain the confidence I have needed to tackle new things and pursue new opportunities. It has motivated me to gain further qualifications and has also made me want to travel the world more. “To future students I would say tackle everything with 100% confidence, even If you are nervous, it could potentially open many doors.”

Clarissa joined from Avonbourne College and achieved D*D*D* and the following RYA qualifications; RYA Dinghy and Windsurfing Instructor, RYA powerboat Level 2, and RYA First Aid certificate. 

After graduating Clarissa went on to work a full season with Rockley in France. She thoroughly enjoyed this experience which allowed her to grow as an instructor as well as further develop her skills on the water. Following her season in France, Clarissa joined the indoor rock climbing company, Rock Reef on Bournemouth Pier where she has continued to grow and share her passion for the outdoors and teaching youngsters.Rockley has really helped Clarissa improve her confidence while also developing a range of new personal and practical skills. She has also gained long-life friends and found an exciting career path which she wishes to continue in the future. 

“The experience has been both hugely challenging and rewarding.“

Alex had already completed two years of sixth form before he joined the course, studying Games Development and Applied Science. After finishing sixth form he was incredibly lost  before discovering Rockley College. I became excited about a career that I felt passionate and excited about. My parents were also very happy knowing that the course was still equivalent to A-Levels. They also knew that being outdoors and active whilst still benefitting from self-development would do me the world of good! 

"I had no idea how much I was going to learn about the outdoor industry and the different skills on and off the water. It is one hell of a feeling when you look out of the classroom window and you can see everyone doing their different water activities. It gives you that motivation to finish your coursework so you get the opportunity in the future to do the same. An added bonus is that the view from the beach on a summer’s day never gets old – it’s amazing."

A former student at Queen Elizabeth School, Amelia Clarke studied the Level 3 Diploma in Sport (Outdoor Adventure) at Rockley College. She is currently in her final year studying Physical Education and Sports Coaching at the University of Chichester. In the future, she would like to support others and develop their skills through physical education. She also has aspirations to go travelling and utilise her skills around watersports education. 

“I chose this course because I wanted to combine my passion for the outdoors with a full-time education and development programme whilst gaining qualifications. Elements of the Level 3 Diploma course really related to what I wanted to do at uni and all the coaching to get my dinghy and windsurfing instructor qualifications helped massively. After my first year at uni I came back to work the summer at Buddens which was amazing fun!”

Year 2 college student Toby Griffen is currently on Rockley's Level 3 Extended Diploma in Outdoor Activities course and is thriving, however things haven't always come easy for Toby due to his dyslexia. Like many of our students, he hasn't let this define him or restrict is capabilities. Toby has been sailing with Poole Yacht Club since he was seven years old and, having worked through all the RYA levels, then went on to qualify as a dinghy instructor. Now aged 18, he is training the youth sailors at Poole Yacht Club and is the youth representative on the sailing committee, enjoying keelboat racing and crewing on a Cape 31. 

“I really want to emphasise the positive side of dyslexia. I like the fact that I’m giving something back to Poole Yacht Club by training the youth sailors now - I’d encourage everyone to follow their ambitions.”

Katia graduated with a triple distinction as well as her RYA Dinghy and Windsurf Instructor qualification. As a climber, surfer, wakeboarder and snowboarder it only made sense for her to do the course. She said she would rather be sitting in a sailing boat being taught all the fundamental skills of becoming an instructor and learning life skills rather than sitting in a classroom studying A-Levels. For Katia it was a no brainer!

“Being at Rockley enabled me the time to train as an athlete including travelling to Europe to go rock climbing for long weekends and throughout the holidays. As long as I was handing in the assignments on time and going to every lesson, all the teachers and instructors were nothing but supportive of it. From the first open day to the last day you leave, Rockley want the best out of every student and they won’t stop helping and giving you the attention and advice you need to be able to succeed."

Finn graduated from his 2-year Level 3 Diploma course, also gaining his RYA Dinghy and Windsurfing Instructor qualifications. He chose this college course specifically because of the watersports offering and the location on the beach – something that no other college offered. A huge plus point for Finn was all the additional training offered which he took full advantage of.

Finn then applied for the Apprenticeship - wanting the opportunity to "work and learn at the same time.” He is keen to up-skill as much as he can and plans to spend much of his spare time on improving on his windsurfing and getting out with the current staff whenever he can!

“I love watersports – it’s my passion and if you want to succeed, you’ve just got to put yourself out there and work for it. If you really want it, then sign up for everything - plus it’s a lot of fun as well!”

A former student of Highcliffe Secondary School, and with a desire to work within the watersports industry, Megan decided that Rockley College was the perfect place for her to pursue her dreams. 

"Choosing Rockley over other sixth form and colleges is the best decision I've made. I want to travel to places like Bali and Australia, hopefully being able to teach water sports to local communities. I want to experience living in different parts of the world and to see how different people live. I want to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people through travelling and working in different places."

A former student at Clayesmore School, Harry struggled to find a course which he was excited about and found school difficult because of his dyslexia. He describes Rockley College as a “real game changer.”

As an outgoing and adventurous individual with dreams of owning his own ski school and teaching outdoor activities. While a lot of his friends were choosing the A-Level route, it was the encouragement and support of his parents that prompted him to apply for the course - “it was the best decision I’ve ever made. It has made me so happy - I’m a better person and a more confident individual."

“Take every opportunity. The additional course they offer are not normally free so take as many as you can. Try your hardest in your GCSEs and pursue your own path. Coming to Rockley College has been the best thing I have ever done.”

Charlotte joined Rockley in 2017 to study Level 3 BTEC Sport (Outdoor Adventure) from Queen Elizabeth School. She achieved D* D* D* and gained both her RYA Dinghy and Windsurf instructor qualifications.

After graduating in May 2019, Charlotte worked a season for Rockley at Le Lac Mimizan. She then went on to do a ski season with Ski Famille in Les Gets. She loves working outdoors in the mountains and is having an awesome time. Charlotte has transferred many skills she has learnt from her Rockley sixth form course to her seasons and is gaining more confidence working with children and adults. Between skiing in the winters and spending her time on the water in the summer, she is having the time of her life! 

“Throw yourselves in and give everything a go - you won’t regret it!”

With barely any water experience at all prior to joining the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Outdoor Adventure), Chloe has truly come a long way and now has a variety of water and land-based qualifications under her belt. After graduating from the course she then applied to be part of Rockley's Apprenticeship Programme.

"I wanted to gain more knowledge and develop my skills in everything really, especially the ropes and land-based side of things. It felt like I had been working towards this for three years and didn’t want to go anywhere else. I liked that I had an idea of how it all worked - for me it was the natural next step. Although I had already been here for three years, starting the apprenticeship still felt new and exciting."

Former Rockley College graduate Josh decided that the Rockley Apprenticeship programme would give him the scope to further develop his skills. As an individual who hates being "stuck inside" and who learns more by doing, both the Level 3 Diploma course and Apprenticeship were the perfect choice for him.

"I really want to be more of a skills-related instructor, and love the idea of teaching the next generation of Instructors. I want to pass on the knowledge and skills I have gained in sports such as kayaking, paddleboarding and canoeing as well as the climbing activities and encourage new students to develop their own skills and find their passion."

Antonia chose this course as she liked the idea of learning watersports and gaining qualifications in them. There were no A-Level choices that appealed to her and the fact that it was all coursework-based also influenced her decision. After this course she hopes to gain the grades grades that will allow her to go to University to pursue a career as a chiropractor.

"The course is a lot of fun and a great opportunity to learn/gain new and varied qualifications. All the instructors are experienced in watersports which has helped me to learn and improve my skills, particularly when I am struggling to complete a task on the water."