We are finalists in the Green Gown Awards!

We are proud to announce that our strides in sustainability education have led to us being named as finalists in the Green Gown Awards.

The awards, now in their 20^th year, celebrate exceptional sustainability initiatives in universities and colleges across the world.

We are thrilled to have two projects in the running for the Student Engagement award at this year’s ceremony, which takes place at Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth in November. These entries recognise our efforts to educate staff and students in Carbon Literacy, and an inspiring project giving students the tools to become the next generation of environmental changemakers.

Head of Sustainability, Sasha Beswick, said: “Being named as a finalist in these prestigious awards for not one, but two, of our projects is an amazing achievement – and also shows the great progress we have made to becoming a more sustainable institution.

“This is testament to the continued commitment of all our staff and students to understand and engage with the College’s Sustainability Strategy. The initiatives that are in the running have been so successful entirely because everyone is on the same page when it comes to sustainability.

“It’s a great indicator of our hard work that we are in the Student Engagement category alongside universities and much larger institutions, and we look forward to the awards ceremony later this year.”

At the end of 2023, Barnsley College was one of just three organisations in the country to receive the CLAD Catalyst Award – for its dedication to tackling climate change through climate education and action, and for catalysing the delivery of Carbon Literacy training throughout the organisation and beyond.

The College delivered training to more than 1,000 students as part of the College’s ‘Carbon Literacy Week’ – expanding upon Carbon Literacy Action Day to make a full week of activities.

The College also took part in the SDG Teach In has seen students ‘plogging’ – jogging and litter picking – using apps to convert fitness activities into trees planted, and engaging in Carbon Literacy training, as well as a special parliamentary visit.

In addition, ITS (Independent Training Services) – part of Barnsley College – delivered a pioneering course, created collaboratively by members of the Barnsley Positive Climate Partnership (PCP) education task and finish group. Head of Sustainability for the College, Sasha Beswick, has been instated as vice-chair of the PCP, further showing the institution’s commitment to climate action.