Schools portal
Meet the Team
Sophie Stapley
Hi, I’m Sophie. I have worked in student recruitment for over two years and am passionate about educating and inspiring students far and wide about the opportunities available within the land and environment sector. Through Schools Liaison at Plumpton College, I enjoy helping young people discover their potential, explore exciting career pathways and make the right choice for them as they take their next steps towards a rewarding future.
Sophie Holden
Hello, my name is also Sophie! I have been at Plumpton College now for three years where I first started in our admissions team before moving into my current role as Student Recruitment & Events Officer. One of my favourite parts of the role is talking to students about the land-based sector and the diverse career opportunities it offers. I enjoy helping young people explore their interests and discover pathways they may not have considered before.
What we offer
Events we host
Open Events
Open Events are the best way to get a feel for life at Plumpton College. Explore our campus, meet our teams and find your place.
Year 9 Experience Day
Year 9 Experience Day is a highlight in the Schools & Colleges calendar; a day event which showcases how the STEM subjects are used across all the college’s land and environment based departments. Students partake in a full day of interactive and engaging workshops, certain to leave them feeling inspired and motivated!
Year 10 Taster Days
Taster Day is a chance for Year 10s to experience life as a Plumpton student and explore the incredible opportunities waiting for them after Year 11. Throughout the day, they will get hands‑on with real activities, discover what each course involves, and understand the balance between classroom learning and developing practical, technical skills. It’s the perfect way to find out if a course is right for them.
Students will also have the chance to explore our stunning campus, meet our expert tutors, and connect with other Year 10 students who share similar interests.
Discovery Days
Discovery Days give school and college students a hands-on introduction to higher education in a specialist setting.
Date/s: 19 January 2027 or 15 June 2027
Time: 10:30 AM – 2pm
Location: AgriFood Centre, Plumpton College, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 3AE
Through interactive subject sessions, campus tours and industry-led experiences, students can explore degree pathways in areas such as Veterinary Sciences, Animal Management, Wine Studies and Land Management, while gaining insight into student life, higher education progression and future careers.
If you’re a careers lead looking to book your students onto this, email schoolsliaison@plumpton.ac.uk
