Esher Sixth Form College recently celebrated Green Week with an exciting programme of activities, talks, and hands-on initiatives designed to inspire students and staff to take action for the environment.

Organised by the Student Environment Committee and the Student Union, the week included meadow and hedge planting on the college allotments, fashion swap, Sustainable Clothes Day and an RSPB pin badge fundraiser.

Meadow Making
Kicking off the week, a group of eco-minded students gathered at the college allotments to plant a new hedge. Hedges play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity by providing shelter and food for wildlife, acting as a natural windbreak, and offering much-needed pollinator support. The initiative was a fantastic way to encourage sustainability while enhancing the college’s green spaces.

Climate Talk
On Wednesday, students welcomed Climate Action Specialist Alex Seal from Let’s Go Zero for an inspiring lunchtime talk. Alex discussed the Let’s Go Zero campaign, a nationwide initiative uniting schools and colleges in a shared mission to become zero carbon by 2030. With 5,655 educational settings already on board, Esher Sixth Form College is proud to be part of this vital movement, reducing emissions, promoting biodiversity, and fostering real climate action within the community.

Sustainable Careers Talk

Molly Behling, a Graduate Design Engineer, who works for Hilson Moran, a leading design consultancy in London, discussed important sustainable engineering techniques and the scientific magic behind equipment including air-source heat pumps, resulted in a wide range of questions from the audience.

Insect Appreciation Day
The allotments were buzzing again later in the week as students explored the variety of insect life on campus. Armed with clear containers, they carefully collected different species for closer examination in the college labs before returning them safely to their natural habitats. The activity highlighted the importance of biodiversity and the role insects play in our ecosystems.

Clothes Swap
Sustainable fashion took centre stage in the college café, where the Student Union had organised a clothes swap that encouraged students to refresh their wardrobes with pre-loved items. The event promoted the message of ‘swap, not shop,’ demonstrating how small choices can contribute to reducing fashion waste and embracing an eco-friendlier approach to style.

Litter Pick
Recognising the importance of keeping local green spaces clean, students took to the surrounding community areas for a litter pick. Their efforts helped to protect local wildlife and maintain the beauty of shared outdoor spaces, reinforcing the college’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Bike Marking
To support cycling as a green mode of transport, Surrey Police visited the college to offer free bike marking. This security measure registers bikes in a secure database and applies tamper-proof stickers, deterring theft and giving students peace of mind when choosing to cycle to college.

Ed Jones, Teacher of Biology and Environmental Champion, is the Eco Committee Coordinator and shared his plans for an Esher vegan recipe book,

“All students were engaged in a tutorial encouraging debate on the impact of agriculture and the food we eat, with students invited to submit vegan recipes as part of the Esher Vegan Recipe book competition- there is still time for students to submit, with the deadline being Friday 2 May!

We also want to invite our students to join the college Eco Committee. We meet weekly to develop the college allotments and sustainability initiatives across the college.”

Green Week at Esher was a resounding success, inspiring students and staff alike to take meaningful steps towards a more sustainable future. With initiatives like these, the college continues to champion environmental responsibility and empower its community to make a difference.

Students can contact Ed Jones at sustainability@esher.ac.uk for more information and to submit recipes for the competition!