SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL ACTION FRAMEWORK
Colleges, like all organisations, have a responsibility to address climate change and make necessary changes to help tackle this global issue. Here at Weston College we want to create, not just brighter futures, but greener ones too.
We're proud that all college stakeholders including our staff, learners and employers, are passionate advocates of making a difference to their communities.
To harness that drive for change, we must embed a "green, lean and socially responsible approach" in order to help sustain the world’s resources, reduce environmental impact and create the vibrant, positive and sustainable tomorrow.
On this page, you'll see our corporate aims to achieve this as well as examples of our current work and a link to read more in our full Sustainability and Social Action Framework document.
OUR AMBITION
To create a green, lean, socially responsible culture for staff and students to work together to build a ‘Net Zero College of the Future’, which champions green jobs, growth and careers – and uses social action to inclusively build a more sustainable and dynamic community, that can sustain and grow a progressive circular economy.
This will be achieved through the following key strands:
The Framework in action - using a 'Whole College - Whole System' approach
STRAND 1
COLLEGE
Reducing our carbon emissions and embedding a green, lean, socially responsible culture - for students and staff to come together, using strong green leadership, to sustainably work towards becoming a ‘Net Zero’ College of the Future.
STRAND 2
CAREERS
Upskilling to create the green change makers of the future. Working with employers and stakeholders to level up and champion inclusive green careers – so all learners prosper from a vibrant, progressive green economy. Cascade our ‘green, lean, socially responsible’ ethos, across all curriculum areas, and at all levels.
STRAND 3
COMMUNITY
Supporting our community to grow and thrive using social action projects, where students and staff work collaboratively - using green, lean and socially responsible principles, to create more sustainable, fairer neighbourhoods.
SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL ACTION FRAMEWORK
INFRASTRUCTURE AND CULTURE
BEHAVIOUR AND CONSUMPTION
GREEN SKILLS AND CAREERS
SUPPLY CHAIN PARTNERSHIPS
SUSTAINABILITY / SOCIAL ACTION
ALTERNATIVE TRAVEL
STRAND 1: COLLEGE
OUR COMMITMENT TO BECOME A NET ZERO COLLEGE
Core aims
- To embed a strong college ethos of ‘green, lean social responsibility’ across the College in order to work towards ‘Net Zero’by 2050, - made possible through strong green leadership and governance and communicated through the College’s ‘Super Six’ Sustainability Principles, and championed through campaigns linked to #Let’s Go Net Zero.
- To become a ‘Net Zero’ role model for the education sector, regionally, nationally and internationally through creating collaborative partnerships aligned to key projects e.g. AoC - Beyond the FE Climate Action Roadmap - with success celebrated at every level, using a ‘Whole College – Whole System’ approach.
- To develop an ambitious carbon reduction plan with robust monitoring, measurement and compliance - secure capital investment to reduce the carbon footprint of its infrastructure and its population. Lead and share best practice nationally with regard to green accounting/investment to both future-proof a ‘Net Zero’ estate, and to encourage green re-investment in wider sustainability projects.
- To build a ‘green, lean and socially responsible’ supply chain, engaging with ethical partners who can promote and enhance a circular economy, and add social value to the community we serve.
- To create an environment which empowers staff, students and stakeholders to work together when designing ‘Net Zero’ solutions for each campus – which also improve wellbeing, biodiversity and work/life balance, and consider the role that technology plays in building a dynamic and efficient workforce.
- To support learners, staff and employers to upskill in carbon literacy, creating an inclusive ‘Net Zero’ talent pipeline who are passionate about tackling climate change and who can problem solve within a wider sustainability and social action context.
Key deliverables for 2024 to be reviewed annually:
- Launch the College’s Sustainability and Social Action Framework as the overarching ‘Towards Net Zero Strategy’ embedding the College’s ‘Super Six’ sustainability principles - with strong green leadership/governance in place.
- Bid for FE/HE capital/revenue grants to support the reduction of carbon emissions. Embed a digital mindset for greater efficiency of process; pioneer ‘green classroom management’ e.g. use of the Virtual Classroom.
- Reduce waste and energy and water consumption. Ensure ‘BREEAM’ for new builds with refurbishment using sustainable materials. Link with key government agencies e.g. DEFRA, BEIS, EA for a ‘Whole College - Whole System’ approach.
- Develop positive interaction with our supply chain, ensuring all tendering reflects a ‘Net Zero’/circular economy/social value approach. Support employers with a CPD training offer to collectively work towards ‘Net Zero’ as a region.
- Use an evidence based approach by establishing a robust carbon reduction accounting and reporting mechanism. Facilitate integration into the annual collegiate selfassessment/audit model for SMART target carbon emission monitoring – to ensure a process of continuous improvement exists.
- Ensure ‘Net Zero’ education/carbon literacy CPD is the norm for all learners and staff and motivation remains high using CE Hub curriculum integration; communication of the ‘Super Six’; use of #Let’s Go Net Zero campaigns and workforce development alignment.
STRAND 2: CAREERS
OUR COMMITMENT TO UPSKILL FOR GREEN CAREERS
Core aims
- To become an exemplar College for FE and HE for the implementation of the national green skills industrial revolution to ‘Build Back Greener’ - working in partnership with employers, learners, and key stakeholders e.g. WECA, the West of England IoT and and our National Centre for Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), to create an inclusive talent pipeline to grow the green jobs of tomorrow.
- To align to the AoC’s Green College Commitment to make climate and environmental skills/education an integrated part of all vocational and academic programmes across the College Group- championing inclusive ‘green’ apprenticeships/ traineeships/T Levels, adult retraining opportunities e.g., Skills Bootcamps, and higher technical pathways - as per DfE policy.
- To support the aims of the National Climate Education Plan, as well as exploring alternative learning environments linked to nature, as an inclusive vehicle for re-engagement. Embed volunteering to build confidence, enhance problem solving/ entrepreneurialism, and to develop learning about wider sustainability for greater climate change reliance.
- To invest in CPD and the innovative technologies required to upskill the College’s workforce to teach outstanding green skills, linking with University Centre Weston and the West of England IoT, to develop higher progression routes. Champion a global approach - being part of the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence/Innovation Network and through linkage to the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics.
- To embed a digital mindset, when curriculum planning to widen participation and extend geographical reach – utilising the expertise of the College’s learning technologists. Create innovation as a Microsoft Showcase College for wider immersive green skills delivery, and the streamlining of processes/systems with CPD to further support learners and staff.
- To measure and monitor green skills/career progression, using a ‘Whole College – Whole System’ approach to increase carbon literacy, capturing the employer and learner voice throughout with impact clearly understood by the College’s leadership board and governors.
Key deliverables for 2024 to be reviewed annually:
- Launch the College’s Sustainability and Social Action Framework as the overarching ‘Towards Net Zero Strategy’ embedding the College’s ‘Super Six’ sustainability principles - with strong green leadership/governance in place.
- Bid for FE/HE capital/revenue grants to support the reduction of carbon emissions. Embed a digital mindset for greater efficiency of process; pioneer ‘green classroom management’ e.g. use of the Virtual Classroom.
- Reduce waste and energy and water consumption. Ensure ‘BREEAM’ for new builds with refurbishment using sustainable materials. Link with key government agencies e.g. DEFRA, BEIS, EA for a ‘Whole College - Whole System’ approach.
- Develop positive interaction with our supply chain, ensuring all tendering reflects a ‘Net Zero’/circular economy/social value approach. Support employers with a CPD training offer to collectively work towards ‘Net Zero’ as a region.
- Use an evidence based approach by establishing a robust carbon reduction accounting and reporting mechanism. Facilitate integration into the annual collegiate selfassessment/audit model for SMART target carbon emission monitoring – to ensure a process of continuous improvement exists.
- Ensure ‘Net Zero’ education/carbon literacy CPD is the norm for all learners and staff and motivation remains high using CE Hub curriculum integration; communication of the ‘Super Six’; use of #Let’s Go Net Zero campaigns and workforce development alignment.
STRAND 3: COMMUNITY
OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY SOCIAL ACTION
Core aims
- To create a culture where social action education becomes the norm, where students, staff and the community work cohesively to enhance the lives of others to build a more fairer, sustainable society in line with the global vision - as laid down by the UN’s sustainable development goals.
- To use collaboration to build a network of social action partners, in a model where the sum is greater than the parts to help those most disadvantaged, using green spaces and environmental projects as a mechanism to connect and improve wider wellbeing.
- To become a champion of change to drive the sustainability and social action agenda forward in our local and regional communities, with visible engagement through volunteering - and on a national scale as a national leader of inclusive practice.
- To upskill our own staff, governors, learners and businesses to understand social action and create workforce development best practice as an ‘Investor in People Platinum’ where social action, sustainability, inclusion and wellbeing (as core organisational values) - can be harnessed to both benefit the community and create a better work/life balance.
- To develop social value measurement, monitoring and reporting processes to allow social value impact to be realised – ensuring that capital projects, the curriculum and supply chains are continually improving their social value designs.
- To align with cross cuttings themes (and the work of wider national/international agencies) as per the ‘Department of Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change strategy, e.g. National Education Nature Park and Climate Leaders’ Award - with linkage to wider international work to share best practice and to protect the coastal environment we serve - in line with the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy.
Key deliverables for 2024 to be reviewed annually:
- Launch the College’s Sustainability and Social Action Framework as the overarching ‘Towards Net Zero Strategy’ embedding the College’s ‘Super Six’ sustainability principles - with strong green leadership/governance in place.
- Bid for FE/HE capital/revenue grants to support the reduction of carbon emissions. Embed a digital mindset for greater efficiency of process; pioneer ‘green classroom management’ e.g. use of the Virtual Classroom.
- Reduce waste and energy and water consumption. Ensure ‘BREEAM’ for new builds with refurbishment using sustainable materials. Link with key government agencies e.g. DEFRA, BEIS, EA for a ‘Whole College - Whole System’ approach.
- Develop positive interaction with our supply chain, ensuring all tendering reflects a ‘Net Zero’/circular economy/social value approach. Support employers with a CPD training offer to collectively work towards ‘Net Zero’ as a region.
- Use an evidence based approach by establishing a robust carbon reduction accounting and reporting mechanism. Facilitate integration into the annual collegiate selfassessment/audit model for SMART target carbon emission monitoring – to ensure a process of continuous improvement exists.
- Ensure ‘Net Zero’ education/carbon literacy CPD is the norm for all learners and staff and motivation remains high using CE Hub curriculum integration; communication of the ‘Super Six’; use of #Let’s Go Net Zero campaigns and workforce development alignment.
OUR ETHOS IN ACTION
<p>Weston College recently took part in the 2023 Planet Earth Games, an <a href="https://www.aoc.co.uk/">Association of Colleges (AoC)</a> competition which uses games and challenges to engage colleges and students in climate action.</p><p>The AoC and Planet Earth Games <a href="https://planetearthgames.org/2023-college-event-launched/#:~:text=Promo… this as a “Global Movement”</a>, and have co-produced a project aimed at educating, promoting and advocating for colleges in climate action, and sustainable consumption this academic year.</p><p>The College had many activities taking place across the week, particularly in the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/engin…; and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours… Practice</a> departments.</p><p>The Faculty of Inclusive Practice (FIP) launched the ‘Wheels to Work’ campaign, where a number of staff cycled from Yatton and Clevedon through to Weston. Alongside this, free bike checks, services and cleans were offered to learners and staff.</p><p>Extension studies and Engineering also took part in a Beach Clean across Weston Seafront, to improve the beach experience for the community and help preserve the coastline.</p><p>Live salads and 100 tree saplings were planted at Butcombe farm by the learners, to assist with the environment and carbon emissions.</p><p>The engineering learners also collected reusable plastics, and moulded them into various items. The learners from FIP then sold them in their pop-up shop.</p><p>Jo Philpott, Vice Principal – Curriculum Delivery & Technical Innovation, commented on the success: “We are incredibly proud of the dedication our learners had towards the Planet Earth Games initiative and the impact this has had since. We believe it is incredibly important to do our part when it comes to sustainability, and AoC’s Planet Earth Games is the ideal way to get learners engaged. I’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone involved!”</p>
<p>Sustainability is a key driver within both GKN Aerospace and the entire aerospace sector and we are looking at ways in which we can make major changes to everything that we do, in order meet our commitments to the environment and therefore operate more sustainably.</p>
<p>Several months ago I was contacted by Weston College and asked if I would support the Engineering and Construction Sustainability Learner and Employer Conference that they were planning, as part of their event schedule for Great Big Green Week.</p>
<p>I was intrigued by this initiative and with the importance of the subject matter, so duly committed my support accordingly on behalf of GKN Aerospace.</p>
<p>I arrived to a packed-out Winter Gardens, and it was great to see so many learners of different stages in their development in attendance, all listening and working keenly to have a positive impact. The event was well structured with keynote speakers, a panel Q&A with likeminded organisations, followed by what was the main event - the Bridge Build Challenge.</p>
<p>Having participated, I have to say what a brilliant event, having the next generation of Engineering and Construction engineers in one place, for the day, was extremely powerful, and the conversations that ensued were a privilege to be part of.</p>
<p>I would recommend any employers who are asked to attend this event next year, or a similar event at the college to do so.</p>
<p>Although on the face of it and with time pressures which we are all under a day out of the business might appear a considerable commitment. Productivity can be directly related to Impact, so viewing it in this light this event was hugely impactful on every level, therefore a massively productive use of my time.</p>
<p>Should the event take place next year and I am invited, then I will be back!</p>
<p>Paul Ashbee, GKN</p>
<p>Weston College will be hosting and engaging in <a href="https://greatbiggreenweek.com/">Great Big Green Week</a>, from 26th - 30th September, the UK's biggest ever celebration of Community Action to tackle Climate Change and protect nature!</p>
<p>In order to celebrate this week, a range of activities and events have been curated to get all members of the Weston College Community involved, and thinking about how to make our future more sustainable and do our part to help with the environmental challenges that lie ahead.</p>
<p>The activities planned for the week are:</p>
<p><strong>Monday</strong> - a Q&A session with Chris Hines, a founding member of <a href="https://www.sas.org.uk/">‘Surfers Against Sewage’</a> and a former Sustainability Director of the <a href="https://www.edenproject.com/">Eden Project,</a> who has previously spoken at our events, including the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news/weston-college-delivers-sustainability-an… and Social Action Business Breakfast</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Tuesday</strong> - an Engineering and Construction Sustainability Learner Conference, opened by Sir Paul Phillips, with guest speakers and panel Q and A sessions from industry. Our learners will also have the opportunity to compete ‘real-world’ challenges with judges from our key employers.</p>
<p><b>Wednesday</b> - a Beach Clean will be taking place, in partnership with Weston Pier, where the aim will be to work together to clean the beach!</p>
<p><strong>Thursday</strong> - the challenge will be to 'Green Your Campus', as we seek to achieve Net Zero</p>
<p>People taking part will have the opportunity to win awards in the following categories:</p>
<ul>
<li>Zero Waste</li>
<li>Sustainability Awareness</li>
<li>Carbon Footprint</li>
<li>Digital Innovation</li>
<li>Reduce, Reuse and Recycle</li>
<li>Best Campus</li>
<li>Outstanding Commitment to Sustainability</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Friday </strong>- a Smart Living Conference will be held at the Winter Gardens from 3pm-7pm<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p>Beyond this week, we also plan to organise activities in the upcoming year, regarding sustainability and helping the environment, for example more tree planting in partnership with <a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/">The Woodland Trust</a> and <a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/qu… Green Canopy</a>, taking place in April 2023.</p>
<p>The huge range of activities planned for the week will be very exciting for everyone within the Weston College Community. Beyond this, we look forward to seeing wider celebration from across the UK, and the Community Action taking place, to tackle Climate Change and protect nature!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Keep an eye on our social media, to see how we get on throughout the week!</p>
