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.

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Annual SECR Disclosure Record

Being Green, Lean and Socially Responsible – our philosophy for a sustainable ‘Net Zero’ College of the Future

Only outstanding college for 30 miles

One of the fastest growing colleges in the UK

Pass rates at 99%

Pearson Gold Award for Leadership

x17 Beacon Awards for Excellence

Lloyds Bank Business of the Year 2019

Queen's Anniversary Award for FE and HE

National Apprenticeship Award Winner 2022

TES College of the Year

TES Principal of the Year

National Centre of Diversity - Principal of the Year

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

16 Feb 2022

College principal dr paul phillips planting a tree for the queens jubilee at south west skills camps in weston-super-mare

Weston College have joined the national campaign to support the <a href="www.queensgreencanopy.org">The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC)</a> - a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.

The Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips CBE, was joined by staff and students to plant their first tree at the College’s South West Skills Campus on Locking Road, Weston-super-Mare. This is just one of many of the College’s green initiatives that ties in with its wider sustainability and social action framework. Also in attendance were Emily Burnell (Woods Project Coordinator at the <a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/">Woodland Trust</a>), Pete Lane (Horticulture Lecturer) and ex-students now working within Butcombe Farm’s philanthropic venture <a href="https://chillicharity.org.uk/">Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity</a>, working in partnership with the College, with its innovatively designed alternative outdoor classroom model - providing real world learning at the heart of the farms’ chilli cuisine production.

Dr Phillips commented: “The Queen’s Green Canopy is a really interesting project and it’s one that everyone can get involved in. I would encourage all schools, businesses, community groups and members of the public out there now to really get behind this as we move towards the jubilee – its also a great chance to connect with each other and inspire young people as the future custodians of the UK’s green spaces, forests and woodlands.

As a College, our wider sustainability work is leading the region whether this is working with businesses to create green apprenticeships, or supporting people to retain for green careers, we are supporting many organisations achieve the change required to collectively work towards ‘Net Zero’ - and this very much includes innovative  social action projects such as this one to build stronger, greener communities”.

Visit <a href="http://www.queensgreencanopy.org/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">www.queensgreencanopy.org</a> to see who’s already planted in your area and how to pin your tree to the <a href="https://queensgreencanopy.org/map-education-hub/qgc-map/#/">interactive Jubilee map</a>, as well as to find out more information to engage with wider sustainability in support of Her Majesty the Queen. The best tree planting season is till the end of March, and restarts in October for the end of the year.

Principal Supports Queen’s Green Canopy

18 Jan 2022

sustainable burger vegan in weston super mare how to become a chef

With dining out being an important part of our culture, how can the catering sector join the debate and put sustainability on the menu?

Endorsed by employers, the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Hospitality and Catering Careers Excellence Hub</a> encourages collaboration between the college and companies. This ensures that classroom content is relevant and students will be "job ready" when they go into the industry. A growing part of the industry at the moment is sustainability and where we get our food from. We caught up with Sandra Bull, Dean of Faculty for <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… Beauty and Barbering</a>, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… and Catering</a>, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Years Education</a> and Counselling, to talk all about sustainability in the catering sector...

Food is wasted at each step of the supply chain. It remains unpicked if it is ‘ugly’, it perishes over long distances, it is ‘trimmed’ for aesthetics and it is left on the plate of not-so-hungry customers.

Chefs have the ability to intercept at each of these junctures. They can champion crooked carrots, source local food in season, use peelings for stocks and offer different portion sizes. Additionally, when waste remains, they can donate surplus to food waste charities. So here at Weston College and in the Grove training kitchen and restaurant we are embracing this concept...

Let me introduce our sustainable menu for takeaway next Thursday. All produce is locally produced (meaning less mileage), ingredients are in season now   and we  waste less. The Hospitality learners are learning about plastic waste and the food journey from Farm to fork.

Takeaway  Thursday 27th January . Please call 411422 to book yours ! ?

We hope you enjoy

Fish and chips

£2.50 main £3.50 main & a dessert £4.00 meal deal drink main & dessert

Please inform us of any food allergies or special dietary requirements upon ordering and we will be happy to advise you.

Do you ever wonder why some supermarket food is just so cheap? You may not pay for it at the cash register, but the cost to your health, the soil, and the environment are there.

Sustainable eating is not easy.

We are finding out more about where our suppliers get the food they deliver. What is its journey, is it in season and can we convince the supplier to cut down on single use plastic?

This time of year, root vegetables and hearty greens are great for adding to curries and stews. Salads, Tomatoes, and fruit in the summer make colourful additions to your plate. Of course, milk and dairy produced are here all year around.

Freezing, dehydrating, and preserving in pickles can help to add favour and use in season stock. But we are going to have a go at Growing our own window boxes this term so we can provide all the herbs for our café and restaurant. Watch this space!

Initiatives like this are Weston College is committed to creating brighter and greener futures

When you don’t know your farmer because you’re buying from a supermarket then look for the words “Fair-Trade” or the RED tractor on your packaging.

This may be the hardest part of changing the way you eat. On the other hand, it forces you to simplify your food in a way that promotes health and flavour. The simple truth is sustainable food does not outsource its preparation.

Without basic cooking knowledge, none of this is possible so look out for our short basic cooking courses to give you confidence in the kitchen. Learning to cook your favourite foods using local ingredients can really make all the difference.

Eating mindfully may take a bit more effort but the rewards, for your family and their future, are too big to pass up.

Click to find out more about:

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2022-01/84501_Weston%20Col… and Catering Career Excellence Hub</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… and Catering courses</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Career Excellence Hubs</a></li>
</ul>

Students Serve Sustainability on the Menu

8 Oct 2020

Apprenticeship Minister at WEIOT with Dr Paul

Gillian Keegan, Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, will be ‘virtually’ opening the <a href="http://www.weiot.ac.uk">West of England Institute of Technology</a> (WEIoT) on Thursday (8th October).

The official <a href="http://www.weiot.ac.uk">WEIoT</a> launch will be a virtual event, which brings together all the education institutions and employers that have been involved bringing it to its fruition.

In 2019 the first Institutes of Technology (IoT) were selected through a government-led competition and 12 were awarded – the WEIoT was one of these.

The WEIoT is a consortium of education providers and key employers across the West of England. It has been led by Weston College and includes the University of the West of England, Bath College, Gloucestershire College, and Yeovil College as well as a network of key local employers, including; GKN Aerospace, Airbus, GE Aviation, Renishaw, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust, , St Monica Trust, Jisc, Mayden Academy, National Composites Centre (NCC), North Somerset Council, Leonardo, Rolls Royce and Bamboo Technology.

Speaking ahead of her visit, the Apprenticeships Minister said: “I’m looking forward to launching the West of England Institute of Technology and speaking to some of the employers, including GKN Aerospace Services Limited, Mayden Academy and University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, who have worked so hard to bring it to life.

“Institutes of Technology will be the pinnacle of technical training, offering higher technical STEM education and training in key sectors, such as advanced manufacturing and engineering, construction and infrastructure, and digital which will be even more important as we build back better from the pandemic. By collaborating with businesses, IoTs can deliver the technical knowledge and practical workplace skills employers are demanding – like nowhere else.

“I’m excited to speak to students and staff about the opportunities the IoT will offer them and the wider benefits it will have for the wider community.”

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, commented: “We are thrilled to be launching the WEIoT, and to welcome the Minister to witness the investment that this initiative is bringing. The WEIoT will significantly influence skills development and innovation on both a regional and national basis and the WEIoT strength is working collaboratively with other institutes and employers.”

In December 2019, the consortium appointed Claire Arbery as the Director of the WEIoT. Claire has been pivotal to the mobilisation of the project, Claire commented on the importance of the investment for the area: “The WEIoT funding has created opportunities for the educational partners to invest in cutting edge technology to provide their learners and employers with facilities to drive forward the developments needed to help build recovery. The focus on technical skills and education offered by the collaborative approach will bring wider benefits and the IoT will be able to support learners who may not have thought that higher level skills training was for them using our digital connectivity to its full potential.”

The West of England Combined Authority has also contributed £500,000 towards the project, and this funding has been used to support the digital capability toolkit for the WEIoT, so that all FE partners can be upskilled to deliver digital lessons.

Tim Bowles, Mayor of the West of England, said: “Technical skills are vital to our region’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. My plan for our Economic Recovery sets out how we will make sure our residents have the opportunities they need to train or retrain in this growing sector.

“Improving job prospects, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can fulfil their potential is one of my key ambitions for the region and the new <a href="http://www.weiot.ac.uk">West of England Institute of Technology</a> will help make that a reality. It will give us the training we need for our residents to get the decent, well paid jobs that our region will rely on in the future.”

Minister Launches West of England IoT

External Links

National Skills Academy Will Help Build a Greener Future

Let's Chat

West of England Works Sustainable Development

The Green College Commitment (aoc.co.uk)

Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy (gov.uk)

DfE Sustainability Strategy

Streamlined Carbon Usage Report

18 Jan 2022

With dining out being an important part of our culture, how can the catering sector join the debate and put sustainability on the menu?

We hope you enjoy

Do you ever wonder why some supermarket food is just so cheap? You may not pay for it at the cash register, but the cost to your health, the soil, and the environment are there.

Sustainable eating is not easy.

We are finding out more about where our suppliers get the food they deliver. What is its journey, is it in season and can we convince the supplier to cut down on single use plastic?

Initiatives like this are Weston College is committed to creating brighter and greener futures

When you don’t know your farmer because you’re buying from a supermarket then look for the words “Fair-Trade” or the RED tractor on your packaging.

Eating mindfully may take a bit more effort but the rewards, for your family and their future, are too big to pass up.

Click to find out more about:

Students Serve Sustainability on the Menu

SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL ACTION FRAMEWORK

OUR AMBITION

The Framework in action - using a 'Whole College - Whole System' approach

STRAND 1
COLLEGE

STRAND 2
CAREERS

STRAND 3
COMMUNITY

SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL ACTION FRAMEWORK

STRAND 1: COLLEGE

OUR COMMITMENT TO BECOME A NET ZERO COLLEGE

Core aims

Key deliverables for 2024 to be reviewed annually:

STRAND 2: CAREERS

OUR COMMITMENT TO UPSKILL FOR GREEN CAREERS

Core aims

Key deliverables for 2024 to be reviewed annually:

STRAND 3: COMMUNITY

OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY SOCIAL ACTION

Core aims

Key deliverables for 2024 to be reviewed annually:

OUR ETHOS IN ACTION

External Links

LATEST NEWS

One Message, Different Voices

SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL ACTION FRAMEWORK

OUR AMBITION

The Framework in action - using a 'Whole College - Whole System' approach

STRAND 1COLLEGE

Core aims

STRAND 2CAREERS

Core aims

STRAND 3COMMUNITY

Core aims

SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL ACTION FRAMEWORK

STRAND 1: COLLEGE

OUR COMMITMENT TO BECOME A NET ZERO COLLEGE

C﻿ore ﻿aims

Key deliverables for 2024 to be reviewed annually:

STRAND 2: CAREERS

OUR COMMITMENT TO UPSKILL FOR GREEN CAREERS

C﻿ore ﻿aims

Key deliverables for 2024 to be reviewed annually:

STRAND 3: COMMUNITY

OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY SOCIAL ACTION

C﻿ore ﻿aims

Key deliverables for 2024 to be reviewed annually:

OUR ETHOS IN ACTION

External Links

Apply or find out more

One Message, Different Voices

STRAND 1
COLLEGE

STRAND 2
CAREERS

STRAND 3
COMMUNITY

Core aims

Core aims

Core aims