SORTED Guide to Sustainability in Further Education – Part 4 - Student engagement

What's in this section?

• Introduction to the topic area

• Organisational value of embedding sustainability in this area

• Wider benefits of embedding sustainability in this area

• Getting Started

• Promote other opportunities outside of the organisation

• Hold a whole-organisation Sustainability Day

Introduction to the topic area

The transient nature of students passing through FE offers a unique chance to engage students as agents of change in the future. The experiences and opportunities offered to students will be of benefit not only to them but also institutions and wider communities as they take these skills with them, and on through to adult life. These opportunities exist within the curriculum, as well as the informal curriculum. 

Organisational value of embedding sustainability in this area

• Enrich the learning experience. Offering learners a more rounded learning experience whilst with your organisation – with extra opportunities to develop skills and competences that they can then take with them to improve their future employment choices.
• Create a greater sense of community around the organisation, making it a more inviting place to study and work.
• Enrich relationships with the local community, by incorporating projects that have local benefit into the informal curriculum.

Wider benefits of embedding sustainability in this area

Students who are more actively involved with sustainability and community projects are more likely to take their skills out into their community and workplace and continue to make positive change.

Getting started

Spot opportunities in the informal curriculum

Many of the principles underpinning sustainable development also contribute to quality of life and greater efficiency. For example, a healthy college programme might consider a ‘stop smoking’ or a ‘local food’ campaign, or promote walking and cycling; an energy awareness programme could promote switching off lights and heating when teaching rooms are not in use. Many of these topics could be adopted as elements of the taught curriculum in any form of provision.

• Themed weeks programmed over the academic year can provide opportunities to experiment with different pedagogical approaches as teaching staff link curriculum areas with the relevant weeks
• Volunteering in the local community – this could range from a variety of opportunities, such as wildlife conservation work with a local wildlife trust; hair and beauty students visiting a care home or hospital to offer treatments; reading with children in a local school; etc
• Recycling projects
• In-college projects and charity based activities
• Healthy eating drives
• Entrepreneurial ‘Dragons Den’ style opportunities for students to receive some initial funding to develop a sustainable project.

Promote other opportunities outside of the organisation

Increasingly, learners are signing up to do voluntary sustainable development activities with the growth of organisations such as Change Agents UK and Groundwork.

Hold a whole-organisation Sustainability Day

Treat the organisation as a Living Laboratory. Where sustainability efforts, legislation compliance, etc is undertaken within the organisation, promote this, and encourage learners to get involved. Communicate what you are doing as an organisation, let learners and staff know that you are leading from action.