Haywards Heath Grammar School opened on 9 September 1958,[4] being run by East Sussex Education Committee with 800 boys and girls.

Haywards Heath College was established in 1980 and offered mainly courses for 16- to 18-year-old students following on from compulsory education.

There had also been discussions about selling of one of the rear car parks in the Crawley campus in order to pay off some of the debt.

In an interview with S. Wright and S. Legrave (the Central Sussex College Principal and the Chichester College Principal) they said "We believe that a merger between our colleges will create opportunities around financial sustainability and ensure a diverse and employer led curriculum to meet local business and community needs...We remain committed to ensuring quality teaching and learning and believe that collaboration provides the opportunity to grow income, share costs and work in broader geographical areas."

Two members of staff had suffered minor injuries, one being shot at with blanks and the other being stabbed in the hand.