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Apprentice Sophie is thriving here at Rockley, with her love of the water and the outdoors clearly evident. However, it was purely by accident that she stumbled across Rockley College and we are very glad that she did!
Originally from West Sussex, Sophie completed her GCSEs and then went on to study Physical Education, Biology and Business Studies for A-Levels: “It was Covid year, so it was just easier to stay on at sixth form. We were told it was the better option, so I stayed.”
It was only after ‘accidentally’ clicking on to a Rockley College Facebook post advertising the Level 3 Diploma in Sport that Sophie approached her mum with a series of questions: “Can we go to an Open Event? What would you do if I moved 70 miles down the road?”
After convincing her mum to take her to an Open Event, Sophie was sure she wanted to relocate and study at Rockley. At the Open Event, Rockley College teacher, Mark, was so impressed with Sophie, he offered her a place there and then. “My mum knew it was right for me. She knew I wasn’t happy where I was and she saw my face light up when we looked around the campus. She reached out to friends who lives down here and I ended up staying with them for two years.”
Alongside her A-Levels, Sophie was also involved with the Christian Youth Enterprise (CYE), volunteering at the sailing centre down the road from her home.
Sophie had been going to her local watersports centre since the age of 8, participating in their holiday camps - although never wanted to sail. “I remember sitting in a dinghy as a small child and the boat tipping from side to side. I was petrified. Looking back, it probably wasn’t even that bad at all but I simply refused to sail! I was 16 years old before I stepped back into a dinghy after agreeing with my Mum to give it another go. And I LOVED it! I picked it up really quickly, so joined their RYA Onboard Club and they started training me up as an Assistant Instructor.”
When asked about the difference between A-Levels and the college course, Sophie said: "Pretty comparative really. It was just as hard but it’s all coursework-based, so none of the exam pressure. The main difference was that I enjoyed Rockley College more!”
“I also really liked the fact that Rockley College is a smaller college. I thrive in smaller environments. My plan was always to do sixth form and go to uni. I didn’t think I’d be at college and I didn’t think I’d be doing a course like this, but I’m so grateful I did.”
Sophie graduated with a Distinction Star as well as an impressive selection of qualifications: RYA Dinghy and Windsurf Instructor, Paddlesport Instructor, RYA Powerboat Level 2 and RYA Safety Boat.
She was a true advocate for doing all the instructor training: “Definitely do all the optional stuff and make the most of it, because all together, it would amount to thousands of pounds worth of courses.”
Rockley College has proven to be a real game-changer for Sophie. Over the course of her time with us, she has gradually grown in confidence, feeling more comfortable in her surroundings. Not only did she excel academically and with the practical training, she really immersed herself into college life. “I went on two skiing trips with the Rockley College over the two-year course which is crazy because I refused to go on any of the trips at school. I was always too anxious. I’d never flown before but when it came up, I was like Mum, can I do the ski trip and she was like, yeah, go for it.”
Sophie applied for the Rockley Apprenticeship Programme towards the end of her college course. Unsure of whether she wanted to apply for university or do a season, she also recognised the value of gaining further experience and qualifications with Rockley.
“It’s going really well. I’ve got my Multi-Hull instructor which is great and I love working with the college kids. It’s nice getting to know them and watch them progress. It’s also really hands-on and I’m loving it. I’m learning and picking up different things from everyone all the time. And it doesn’t feel like work, even though we get paid!”
Looking ahead to the future, Sophie is keeping her options open: “I’d love to stay on with Rockley and work alongside the college team, maybe go home and be part of the Trainee Programme which trains up potential new Instructors, maybe do a season abroad, or there is always the option of going to university.”
Find out more about our Apprenticeship Programme by clicking below: