College Websites

Helena Thomas

Helena started her career in education volunteering at her children’s junior school. This led to her first role within an FE college, working as a learning support assistant in the 90s.

Since then, she progressed into teaching and then onto various leadership and management roles in both academic and student support departments.

Under Helena’s leadership and her collaborative working practices, her teams have achieved outstanding grades within Ofsted and good outcomes within QAA. Helena also has a solid track record of supporting teams through times of significant strategic and operational challenge.

In her current role as principal, Helena is responsible for leading curriculum and quality and, with her team, has significantly improved the quality of education and experience for students.

Previous Principals/CEOs

Paul Riley

Paul Riley is the Principal of Worthing College, taking up the role in March 2017 after having worked at the college since 2007. He has leadership and management experience in local government, the private sector and in FE colleges. 

Paul sits on the Waves Ahead Executive Board of the Local Strategic Partnership in Adur and Worthing and is a member of the Worthing and Coastal West Sussex Skills and Enterprise Group. He is passionate about staff and student wellbeing and collaborative working.