South Essex Colleges Group - Southend-on-Sea

Christine Hamilton

Reading through these reviews it's apparent the college doesn't accept feedback or take on board complaint points to try and improve for it's students.
I made a formal complaint due to timetable issues, lack of communication leading to concerns that my daughter had missed an exam, the stress this has caused is ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as the response to my complaint, missed issues that I'd raised not being addressed and not an apology in sight.
Really disheartening to see your children start off looking forward to their course and planning their futures to then see them struggle due to there being no structure, support or organisation. Seeing their interest and spark practically snuffed out with me trying to pick up the pieces, don't do it to yourselves or your children

Hark

I was here from 2010-2012 studying A levels. I can't speak for the college now. But, back then, i have nothing but good things, to say about the establishment. Supportive tutors, nice facilities and i made good mates. Having the beach, on my door step, was great to! Fond memories, i wish i could go back!

Joe Hodder

I am doing the marine engineering course at the moment and it is top notch ive learned welding, electrics and lots more. Theres such a wide verity of skills to learn ?

Racing Rogerio

This college is terrible. They literally have no clue what is going on.

I highly recommend you getting all communication with this college in writing as their staff turnover rate appears high and people you discuss things with leave regularly and the next person taking over has no clue what’s going on.

The college make false promises before you register.

The support they state they will offer during the year is pretty much non existent once you start.

Staff give different instructions causing a lot of confusion.

Timetables get changed continuously so you can never plan your life around it. The changes are sometimes made with 1 day notice and if you have a side job their answer is well you’ll have to leave the job as you have to stick to their timetable. They literally just don’t care.

The level of teaching is extremely low. Very often sending students away early to do their own learning! What’s the point!

I would highly recommend signing up elsewhere.

You have been warned.

Dan Gurner

I have recently competed an Access course at the college and I am going on to study a degree at the uni, after reading the reviews I feel it necessary to leave my own. I found the college to be all round quite good, yeah there are some issues with rooms but they were sorted out by our tutors, who were excellent and gave us all the support we needed throughout the course. The food in the canteen is a bit overpriced but there are plenty of other options less than 2 minutes walk outside the college. The resources I found to be quite good as well with an excellent library 1 minute walk away and a good computer room with plenty of access. I really enjoyed my access course although it was very tough at times to juggle life and the intensity of the curriculum but it prepares you very well for uni. All in all I would recommend to anyone wanting to better themselves with further and higher education.

Miro Holttum

Decent college, I attend the Access to Higher education course for science and can’t give enough credit to my course leader and chemistry teach Rhys. Facilities are fine, often ruined by the new teenagers , prices on food are a little high. Security often focus on wrong things.

Jo Lyddi

Absolutely appalling behaviour from the staff at this college, Extremely unprofessional at Enrolment day and lying staff. Very poor from you South Essex College.

Raychell-Lee

I spent the last 2 years at the Southend campus of the college from September 2021 to September 2023. The first year was as expected and was stable and consistent on my courses that I studied and in the area of support that I received due to a physical disability and having an EHCP.From the first day of my second year,everything began to derail in worst way possible and I have decided not to return for the new 2023/2024 academic year, to finish the remainder of my college education as a result of my experience.

Too many students and no staff. The treatment of individuals with disabilities is disgusting and teaching staff are permanently leaving every week and as a result,You're not being taught the same course that you initially signed up for.

I would not recommend this college to anyone.