Student Scuba Divers

Two of our students at The Eastbourne Academy, on Brodrick Road, are celebrating after successfully achieving their PADI Open Water scuba diving certification, following a unique programme designed to broaden their horizons and introduce them to new skills and career possibilities.

The students - one from Year 11 and the other from Year 10 - completed their qualification after taking part in online learning, confined water training in a swimming pool in Brighton and open water dives at Mercers Lake in Redhill.

The PADI Open Water certification is a globally recognised scuba diving qualification, allowing students to scuba dive recreationally in the UK and around the world. It also gives them the foundation to continue developing their skills through further qualifications, including advanced diving, deeper water dives and specialist areas such as night diving, wreck diving or diving with enriched air.

The opportunity followed two successful ‘try dive’ experiences arranged by The Eastbourne Academy in 2024 and 2025, where our interested students were able to learn about scuba diving equipment, practise key skills and experience diving in a swimming pool.

After seeing the enthusiasm from students, Dr Goodsell, Curriculum Leader for Religions, Philosophy & Ethics at The Eastbourne Academy, who is a scuba diver herself, explored how our pupils could take the next step and work towards a full qualification.

The programme was created to show students how unexpected opportunities can lead to new interests and possible careers. Scuba diving skills connect to a wide range of future pathways, including deep sea diving, police and military diving, scuba instruction, underwater photography, aquarium diving and even astronaut training. 

Dr Goodsell, Curriculum Leader for Religions, Philosophy & Ethics at The Eastbourne Academy, said:

“I know how exciting and rewarding the sport can be, but I also wanted our students to see where an opportunity like this could lead. The try dives were a fantastic way for students to build confidence, learn new skills and experience something completely different. To now see students achieving their PADI Open Water certification is wonderful, and I am so proud of everything they have put into it.

“We want our students to have access to opportunities that broaden their horizons, even if they might seem unusual at first. This qualification allows them to scuba dive in the UK and around the world, but it could also open doors to future careers and experiences they may never have considered before.”

Carly Rollings, Co-Head of School at The Eastbourne Academy, said:

“We are delighted to celebrate this fantastic achievement with our students. Gaining a scuba diving qualification is a unique accomplishment and reflects their confidence and willingness to try something new.”

Steve Rickard, Co-Head of School at The Eastbourne Academy, added:

“We are very proud of the students and grateful to Dr Goodsell for the time and commitment she has given to making this experience possible.”