The Sustainability Newsletter for staff & students of the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
WANT TO ENHANCE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY?
Our brand-new online Level 2 in Understanding Environmental Sustainability programme aims to do exactly this, providing learners with a deeper knowledge of global warming, reducing carbon emissions, alternative energy sources, conservation, environmental monitoring and energy management.
Find out more about the programme, using the QR code:
Welcome to Footprint
2024 was a pivotal milestone in our sustainability journey, with lots of activity across the Group to embody sustainability in everything we do. Having recently attended the EAUC Sustainability Leadership Lab programme to strengthen our network and knowledge, 2025 is looking positive and we are thankful to everyone who is engaging with our sustainability ambitions.
We have committed to many actions as part of our journey, both internally and with external organisations such as Trident, SS4FE, the Association of College’s (AoC), Environmental Alliance for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), Yorkshire Learning Providers and more.
As we embark on our next steps in decarbonisation, we are working with partners to ensure we are able to make our estates more ecofriendly and we continue to source opportunities to adopt sustainable energy strategies to reduce both our carbon emissions and operating costs.
We are also working closely with former AoC President and Climate Commissioner, Steve Frampton MBE, who delivered an inspirational presentation at our Annual Staff Conference about the sustainability space and how we collectively, and as individuals, can take positive action to engage with climate action. This work has enabled access to many different networks and partners and is driving a number of projects forward.
Whilst we are making great strides in our efforts to achieving net zero, it is clear we can’t do it on our own. We have joined over 3000 schools, colleges and nurseries to support ‘Let’s Go Zero’, a powerful coalition of
organisations, supporting each other to take action on climate change. The recent campaign encouraging institutions to reduce their energy consumption highlighted what we can achieve collectively when we’re considerate about how we operate.
This will assist with our developing Climate Action Plan, which we will be submitting to the Department of Education this year. Our students will play a fundamental role in shaping our plan – this is their future and the climate emergency is one of the biggest concerns of their time.
In this edition of Footprint, you will also be able to hear from some of our students as to how our range of green skills programmes are providing them with the skills and knowledge to progress into green jobs. Our green curriculum offer is something we’re incredibly proud of and are continuing to grow, whilst ensuring our programmes align with UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
I hope you enjoy reading about how we are engaging our students, as well as our staff, in our sustainability journey throughout this newsletter.
Students and staff drive forward sustainability
Say hello to our Green Ambassadors
Two students have recently been recruited as Green Ambassadors with AoC Sport, who will help to raise awareness of climate change across the Group.
As part of their roles, Matty Banks and Libby Jarman will inspire and encourage fellow students to become physically active while promoting an environmentally conscious mindset. This includes raising awareness of the impact humans and in particular sport is having on the environment.
They will also help to organise and participate in events, campaigns and initiatives that promote both physical activity and sustainability, as well complete carbon literacy in sport training.
This comes after the Group signed the AoC’s Environmental Sustainability Pledge, which grants the Group access to the British Association for Sustainability in Sport (BASIS).
Taking strides with Trident
The Group has also increased its engagement with Trident, as we now embark along with other colleges at looking at our scope three emissions.
This will involve further training and development of our teams, changes to our procurement practice and our approach to green travel. Currently all waste is segregated from our colleges at our contractor’s waste depot and sorted into the various types for recycling, however, we have gone out to tender for a new waste contract to support our future plans.
As part of this, the Group will join AoC Sport and other colleges in achieving net zero carbon emissions through various projects directly reducing emissions and educating students in the climate issues we are facing and what can be done to improve the situation.
Students inspired by climate change action conference
A Level and Engineering students from across the Group also attended the University of Huddersfield’s Sustainable Futures Conference where they were left inspired with possibilities for solving climate change issues.
The students had the chance to get hands-on in workshops, covering topics such as sustainable structures, energy harvesting and green fuel and green energy - demonstrating how to apply sustainable concepts in real-world scenarios.
AoC Green Ambassador Matty Banks
Say hi to Hi Group Becoming sustainability award nominees
To support the Group in decarbonising its estates, we’ve recruited the help of Hi Group who deliver net zero solutions to help organisations and communities decarbonise and combat climate change. This collaboration will support the Group in adopting sustainable energy strategies that not only cut emissions but also lower operating costs.
Hi Group has also conducted a full review of the Group’s estate, identifying and prioritising key areas for immediate capital investment, as well as long-term opportunities for decarbonising the Group’s three campuses. The report will also establish how the Group can maximise its assets to produce renewable energy on each site. As part of the partnership, we will also:
+ Develop schemes of work at each College to replace all fossil fuelled heating and ventilation systems.
+ Investigate district heating systems options with third parties at Wakefield College and Selby College.
+ Assessing of utility supply agreements and advise on carbon emissions and opportunities for improvement.
The Group is delighted to announce it has been shortlisted for a number of sustainability accolades by local and national awards.
This includes the Green Award at the Goole and Howdenshire Business Awards, which acknowledges the progress the Group has made in its sustainability journey.
The Group’s first-of-its-kind Skills Bootcamp in Carbon Capture and Storage has also been shortlisted for the Innovation Award at the Educate North Awards, reiterating how the programme is making the green revolution a reality by plugging the skills gap, protecting jobs and building a workforce with the vital skills needed in the transition to net zero.
Computing & Digital Industries Department make sustainability headlines
Our Computing & Digital Industries Department recently featured in digital, data and technology agency, Jisc’s digital newsletter.
The article celebrated the Department’s commitment to embedding sustainable digital practices into computing education. Through their progressive curriculum, the Department is equipping students with the skills to design and implement efficient, secure and responsible digital systems.
From T Levels in Digital Production and Support Services to degreelevel computing courses, students gain hands-on experience in areas such as cloud computing, data optimisation and cybersecurity, all of which are crucial in minimising digital waste and improving energy efficiency.
The curriculum also places a strong focus on secure software development, ensuring that future professionals are prepared to build resilient and long-lasting digital solutions that minimise resource consumption while maintaining performance.
By engaging directly with industry partners, the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group ensures that its students are not only technically proficient but are also ready to tackle real-world sustainability challenges in the digital space.
Rob Charlish, Head of Computing and Digital Industries at Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “Our commitment to digital sustainability in the Computing and Digital Industries curriculum has grown significantly. We now
challenge students with real-world applications, from calculating the College’s daily carbon footprint to creating sustainable games in our Game Jam, fostering a deeper understanding of this critical issue.”
Working around the cluck: Students
create a ‘chicken gym’
As part of the King’s Trust programme, our students were tasked with planning and carrying out a community-focused project that would benefit both people and animals in the local area.
For several years, the King’s Trust has supported the Apple Tree Community Garden, located in Sandal and Agbrigg. The garden grows fresh fruit and vegetables, which are then distributed to those in need within the community, providing healthy produce to individuals who may struggle to afford it.
Steve Frampton inspires change at the Group’s Staff Conference
AoC President and sustainability leader, Steve Frampton MBE, delivered an inspirational talk at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group’s Annual Staff Conference.
Steve’s keynote speech, which addressed good governance of sustainability, inspired colleagues across the Group about how they can make small steps to make a big change when it comes to sustainability. The presentation was incredibly insightful, providing details of best practices, top tips and ways in which the Group can mark its progress in relation to other educational institutions.
Past projects have also included building accessible pathways for wheelchair users, constructing flowerbeds and compost bins, all using recycled or donated materials. A recent example involved creating a “chicken gym” for rescued chickens, helping to improve their wellbeing and prevent boredom by giving them a more stimulating environment.
King’s Trust student Brad Emmett, said about the project: “We chose to create a chicken gym for our project because we had free wood which we could building something out of. It’s important to keep chickens fit and healthy so it seemed like the best fit for the project. I’m proud of myself for building the chicken gym and for improving their wellbeing and happiness. I also got to learn some new skills such has sawing.”
Introducing our Sustainability Officer
To drive forward our sustainability plans, we have introduced a Sustainability Officer to the Group. Julie Thornton was previously a Utilities Officer within the Group’s Estates Department and is now focusing entirely on sustainability across our estates, supporting the Group in its journey to achieving net zero.
Julie is playing play a crucial role in this and will oversee the promotion of the Group’s policy and plans relating to environmental sustainability to increase engagement and knowledge of both staff and students. She is working with colleagues and external partners to champion the Group’s progress and has presented at national events to highlight the Group’s carbon journey.
Always going above and beyond in her commitment to sustainability, Julie’s hard work was recognised at the Group’s Annual Staff Conference Awards where she won the Sustainability Award. Her efforts were also recognised by the EAUC, with Julie being awarded as a Fellow for her dedication and partnership working. She was also featured in the Association of College’s The Green College Commitment as a success story for cross-sector collaboration.
Julie Thornton pictured on the left
Art & Design work
with
local charities to put sustainability at the forefront
Over the past two years, Art & Design students from Wakefield College have been working in collaboration with The Well Project Normanton and Friends of Haw Hill Park to create a sustainable sculpture display in Haw Hill Park, Normanton.
Students create rhubarb themed exhibition with Community Foundation Wakefield District
As part of the brief, students were tasked with using reclaimed materials and found objects such as off-cuts of wood and everyday objects including metal cutlery, keys and wires to create their sculptures. They embodied the themes of ‘woodland creatures’ and ‘woodland wings’ to create an enchanting display aimed at children, which is part of The Well Project Normanton’s Easter Trail.
In addition to creating the sculptures, the students designed the Easter Trail and produced materials to advertise it. They also recruited the help of Friends of Haw Hill Park to display the sculptures within the trees across the park. Overall, the trail was a great success and the students even designed additional sculptures to be sold at the easter-themed event, with all proceeds going to The Well Project charity which supports local food banks.
The Department has also teamed up with the Community Foundation Wakefield District to create a rhubarb-themed sustainable fashion exhibition.
Year 2 and Year 3 Fashion Textiles students were tasked with transforming clothes which were donated through the charity’s Community Give Box, designing pieces which resonate with the rhubarb theme. As part of this, the students used a variety of techniques including dyeing, hand and machine embroidery and printing. The designs were then further enhanced with the introduction of textile rhubarb stems, leaves and soil.
Sustainability exhibition at York Designer Outlet launched
Higher Education Art, Design & Media students from Selby College have launched a month-long sustainability-themed exhibition at York Designer Outlet. A new piece of artwork is being installed each week throughout the exhibition, which will be on display to the thousands of visitors the shopping centre attracts.
Creating sustainable artwork has been embedded into the students’ studio practice, which has seen them design pieces which are made from recycled materials.
In conjunction with Sustainability Week, Level 1 and Level 2 Art & Design students will be exhibiting their sustainable artwork at Selby Abbey on Monday 17th March 2025. As part of the project, the students have produced pieces by collecting and reusing waste materials, with Selby Abbey’s artists in residency, Mandy Keating and Helen Brook, providing the students with feedback on their pieces.
Learners gain green skills fit for green jobs
Learners gain green skills fit for green jobs
As part of our commitment to creating a greener curriculum, we are continuing to access funding to deliver new Skills Bootcamps which are preparing learners to progress into green jobs.
Covering subjects such as Carbon Capture and Storage, Heat Recovery and Groundworks and Pipelaying and Fenestration, the programmes are designed to provide learners with the technical skills and knowledge to operate crucial green technologies or move into high-demand sectors.
Following its first cohort, learners on the Skills Bootcamp in Heat Recovery & Transfer stated how the programme has enabled them to make improvements to their employer’s energy usage.
John Gardiner, Engineering Manager at Lambson Building Products Ltd, said: “The course has given me the knowledge to be able to calculate what energy we are using and losing. This will enable us look at ways
Hydrogen is on the horizon
The Group is looking to further develop its low-carbon curriculum by developing courses in the fields of hydrogen fuel cells and energy. Early conversations are underway with employers such as Centrica to better understand the skills and knowledge that are required to work with this technology.
To facilitate these new courses, further work will be carried out in the decarbonisation laboratory at Selby College to commission training rigs for running experiments
to reuse this heat and ultimately generate savings for the company.”
This is thanks to the realistic training rigs which learners utilise during their studies, providing them with the experience and skills to implement heat recovery projects which reduce their businesses emissions and energy consumption.
using hydrogen. Staff will receive training in this subject so that they can fully support both full-time learners and employees from businesses who are entering this market.
Hydrogen is key to the UK’s net-zero goal by 2050, offering a low-carbon alternative in several sectors:
+ Industry: Replaces natural gas in high-temperature processes (e.g. steel, cement) with support for industrial clusters.
+ Power and Storage: Stores excess renewable energy and powers hydrogen gas turbines for flexible electricity generation.
+ Heating: Potential for hydrogen blending in the gas grid and future hydrogen boilers.
+ Transport: Ideal for HGVs, buses, trains, shipping, and aviation where batteries are less viable.
+ Production and Infrastructure: Investment in blue (with carbon capture) and green hydrogen, plus pipeline and storage networks.
+ Government Strategy: Targets 10GW of hydrogen by 2030, backed by funding schemes like the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund.
Take part in the national Hedgehog Watch
Hedgehog Street is a website where you can log all sightings of hedgehogs. As hedgehogs are an endangered species this data helps with understanding where they live and how to support them in your local area. If you see a hedgehog, dead or alive, logging it on this database helps the protect this species’ future: www.hedgehogstreet.org
No Mow May
No Mow May is a nationwide scheme where you are advised not to mow your lawn for the whole month of May.
This gives pollinators such as wildflowers a chance to increase the food supply to a wide range of minibeasts and other animals such as frogs, birds and hedgehogs. Even if you have small garden, every bit of grass not mowed enhances vital food sources for wildlife.
Join Planet Earth Games!
How can you get involved?
Planet Earth Games is the UK’s biggest sustainability competition and building on last year’s successes, we want more people involved this year.
Staff and students are able to take part in national challenges and activities organised from January until Earth Day on the 22nd April and score points by submitting evidence of participation. Live leaderboards are available on the Planet Earth Games website, with Castleford College placing in the top three in the UK last year!
Type
of activities
+ Nature walks
+ Use public transport
+ Run a 5K
+ Hug a tree
+ Plogging (jogging and litter picking)
And more…
Over the coming months, if everyone got involved in at least one activity, this could make a real difference and support our commitment to sustainability.
Register at planetearthgames.org using the QR code and registration codes to collect points for one of our Colleges:
Castleford College – bp4g24jayl19
Selby College – 4mqhbaufzhbb
Wakefield College – 2gg8bqviydmr
The benefits
+ Supporting the Group’s commitment to sustainability
+ Join the sustainability community to support Net Zero, raise awareness and promote involvement
+ Active wellbeing opportunities
+ Support the natural world and environment
+ Develop green leadership skills
It’s been great to see so many of our staff and students getting involved in Planet Earth Games so far. Here are some of the pictures from their activities!
Scan here to register for the Planet Earth Games
Every Planet Earth Games activity will:
+ Support UN Sustainable Development Goals
+ Have a connection to environmental sustainability or the natural world
+ Have a connection with sport or physical activity
What’s on the agenda
Give Construction a Try goes green in 2025
Our next Give Construction a Try event will take place on Wednesday 12th March 2025, which will have a special sustainability theme. The event will see partners from industry and education working collaboratively to inform young people about the opportunities within the construction industry, with a focus on how the industry will play a key role in helping the UK reach net zero.
The event aims to inspire young people across Yorkshire to consider a career in construction and raise awareness of the diverse range of roles and opportunities the industry has to offer, including green jobs.
Global Recycling Day
Global Recycling Day takes place annually on March 18th, which is all about getting people to waste as little as possible, reuse whenever possible and encouraging world leaders to work together to recycle more.
Follow the QR code to get the latest tips and tricks when it comes to recycling:
Full steam ahead for Sustainability Week
We look forward to celebrating these best practices and the fantastic initiatives our staff and students have been carrying out during Sustainability Week, which will take place from the 17th to 21st March 2025.
Lots of activities will be taking place in the lead up to and during the week, with the Sport & Public Services’ Department arranging a plogging (litter picking whilst jogging) event, Animal Care taking part in a litter pick challenge and Horticulture carrying out tree planting.
In addition to the initiatives happening across curriculum areas, ‘meat free Monday’, campus clean ups and a ‘switch the lights off’ week will also be happening across each College.
The Pastoral Team will also be running stations at each College where students and colleagues can find out more about recycling and upcycling materials to create something new.
These activities also align with the Association of College’s National Green Week, which celebrates the great work that colleges do in sustainability and climate change.
We’re encouraging all staff and students to share their best sustainabililtyinitiatives across their social media channels using the hashtag #SustainabilityWeek
