Staff and students across the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group have been leading the way in sustainability by taking part in the Association of College’s (AoC) Planet Earth Games.

The UK’s biggest sustainability competition, the Planet Earth Games, provides Colleges with the opportunity to take part in national challenges and activities organised from January until Earth Day on the 22nd April, scoring points by submitting evidence of participation.

While activities have been ongoing since the start of the year, the Group hosted its own Sustainability Week in March to boost participation and highlight how small changes can have a big impact on the environment.

Across Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College, a range of creative and practical activities took place - from recycling and upcycling workshops to tree planting, clothes swap shops, and more.

Using recycled materials, students got hands-on with sewing, weaving, painting and crafting, producing items like upcycled bags and friendship bracelets made from recycled yarn - showing how everyday materials can be reused creatively.

Green spaces were improved across campuses as students and staff planted new trees, whilst canteens went meat-free for a day - encouraging the sustainability benefits of vegetarian options.

At Selby College, Art & Design students exhibited eco-friendly artwork at Selby Abbey, using waste materials in their pieces. Feedback was provided by the Abbey’s artists-in-residence, Mandy Keating and Helen Brook.

Wakefield College’s Digital Industries students took part in a sustainability-themed Game Jam during careers week, designing games and assets focused on environmental themes.

At Castleford College, Carpentry & Joinery students built bird boxes using recycled materials which was an opportunity for them to apply their skills whilst encouraging wildlife conservation.

Supporting the Group’s journey to Net Zero, former Association of Colleges’ President and Climate Commissioner, Steve Frampton MBE, joined Wakefield College’s activities during Sustainability Week.

Clare Allcock, Group Executive Director for Student Experience & Support at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, and Sustainability Lead, said:

“It’s been incredible to see so many of our students and staff get involved in this year’s Planet Earth Games and sustainability activities. This is a fun and simple way to make a difference when it comes to climate change and it shows that even small actions can make big changes when we do them collectively. Seeing our Colleges climbing the leaderboard is making it even more rewarding!”

Beyond Planet Earth Games, the Group is also working with organisations such as HI Group and Trident Utilities Ltd to make its estates more ecofriendly and Let's Go Zero to create a more sustainable world.

To help prepare individuals and businesses for future jobs, the Group has expanded its curriculum offer to include new green skills programmes.

Covering topics like Carbon Capture and Storage, Heat Recovery, Groundworks and Pipelaying, and Fenestration, these programmes equip learners with the technical skills needed to work with key green technologies or enter high-demand sectors.