Sunderland College has partnered with Seaside Travel to give students the opportunity to gain real hands-on experience working with a professional travel agency alongside their studies.
During a recent launch event, Travel and Tourism students hosted a ‘pop-up’ at the college’s City Campus, where they handled customer enquiries, researched destinations, compared prices and helped plan holidays supported by staff from Seaside Travel.
The partnership will also bring additional benefits for staff and students, with exclusive holiday discount codes available through the Boldon branch of Seaside Travel on a range of breaks and destinations, alongside practical advice and support from students through regular ‘pop ups’ as they develop vital industry insight.
Kelly Mounsey, Lecturer and Programme Leader for Travel & Tourism at Sunderland College said: “The launch of Seaside Travel’s has been very positive, marking an exciting new partnership and opportunity for both students and staff.
“It’s been fantastic to see how successful the partnership has been in such a short space of time and witness our students engaging with a professional travel agency.
“The enthusiasm from staff and learners has been incredible, and the opportunity for students to gain genuine work experience and make live bookings is exactly the kind of industry partnership we want to build. This initiative is a brilliant addition to campus and something we’re all very excited about moving forward.”
Since the launch, students have made a series of bookings and provided work experience opportunities for several Travel and Tourism students, demonstrating the value of the partnership in offering meaningful, real-world learning experiences.
Travel and Tourism student Scarlett Bridges added: “Having the pop-up agency and the launch event was so much fun – I really hope to work for them in future.”
Providing an outstanding example of industry collaboration that enhances student employability, practical learning, and staff engagement, the partnership is expected to go from strength to strength with Seaside Travel pop ups expected to open at Hartlepool Sixth Form College and Northumberland College in the future.
Kate Dixon, Senior Training & Community Manager at Seaside Travel, said: “The feedback from students has been amazing. They’ve told us how different we are as a business and how much they’ve enjoyed getting to know both our team and the company, which means a great deal to us.
“We’re incredibly excited about what the future holds and can’t wait to continue growing this partnership, supporting young people, and helping students achieve their goals.”
Sunderland College, as part of college group EPNE, receives an Outstanding rating across the board in its latest Ofsted inspection.
November 26, 2024
Students at Sunderland College raised hundreds of pounds and collected dozens of Easter Eggs to support the Durham Easter Egg Run.
April 27, 2026
Sunderland College, as part of EPNE, has been named among the country’s top performing for student and apprentice achievement.
March 30, 2026
98% of our students progress to a positive destination
(*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).
Our achievement rates are well above the national average.
We are the College of the Year.
(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)
100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study.
(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)
We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.
