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From Rockley College sixth form to the apprenticeship, we now find Sam settled in the British Virgin Islands, embarking on his next adventure!
When we first interviewed Sam, mid-way through his first year of the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport course, he was already set on a career in the outdoor industry. He has since graduated from Rockley College with a Distinction along with his RYA Dinghy, Windsurf and Paddlesport Instructor tickets and a range of land-based qualifications. On successful completion of his Outdoor Instructor Apprenticeship he accepted a role working as part of the watersports team at the Bitter End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands.
Sam’s educational path has not been an easy road partly due to an on-going and rare health condition - eosinophilic esophagitis. He made the decision to continue his post GCSE studies at Rockley College: “My Mum is really big on alternative learning. She found out about the course online and knew that Rockley College would suit my style of learning, so my Dad and I rented a house in Highcliffe for two years.”
Clearly hugely motivated and with the full support of his parents, Sam joined Rockley College with a love of sport and the outdoors but with absolutely no prior water or land activity experience. If you are wondering how he went from zero to hero in such a short space of time – “My friend Harrison and I did pretty much every single optional training available from the very start of year one. That really was the key.”
Sam has always been a much-loved member of Rockley – by his peers, teachers and the young people he has taught during his apprenticeship. Now enjoying a whole new experience in the BVI, we catch up with him and reflect on his time at Rockley.
Rockley has shown me that there’s more to life than sitting behind a desk. You can gain and use plenty of other valuable skills that will give you the opportunity to work around the world!
I knew that working and learning in the Rockley environment would give me the experience, knowledge and tools needed to achieve my career goals.
The college is a fantastic opportunity for those who may not necessarily fit into a traditional sixth form environment. It also offers qualifications alongside the diploma which can be useful for all sorts of cool work.
Honestly, I just want to keep progressing and exploring as well meeting new people!
Take every opportunity - whether that’s up-skilling or meeting new people! You get out of it what you put in!