We are a social justice college that puts a high priority on sustainable living. We continue to promote the very real climate change emergency facing the world, living our "green" values for the benefit of the local and regional community. Our sustainability strategy is strong and determined, and includes all staff identifying a robust "green" objective for the year.  Our award-winning Catering Collective is constantly innovating our menu and won a Green Gown award in November 2022 for their "meat to wheat" menu.

The college is alarmed at the rapid acceleration of global climate change. As a further education college, we embrace lifelong learning, having a collective aim of staff and students helping people to help themselves to progress and create a better future.  The prospect of their future being much more of a challenge because of the rapidly progressive global environmental issues, in a world that already carries many other challenges, is deeply concerning.  Here Mel Lenehan, Principal and CEO, outlines the devastation being caused around the world as part of global climate change, and the many ways the college is playing its part in helping to encourage change before it’s too late.

 College Declares Climate and Ecological Emergency 

Mel's Thought Piece - "Time for Action" 

(Intuition Magazine Spring 2021)

Living Our "Green" Values

Over the last few years and especially during COVID-19, the college has worked hard to become more sustainable, environmentally aware and active in playing its part in helping to combat climate change and promote the urgent need for environmental action. The following actions are just some of the measures we have embedded into the Fircroft way of life for staff, students, visitors and the local community:

Menu Change

The college has focused in the last 12 months to move from a meat focused menu to a vegan, locally produced menu. Traditionally the menu was largely dominated by meat with a few vegetarian options but it now is a plant focused menu, predominantly vegan/vegetarian with occasional meat options

The college now operates predominantly vegan or vegetarian options with occasional meat options, it is a plant focused menu.

These changes have received a largely positive response from students and are not only more environmentally friendly, they have noticeably improved afternoon productivity 

The college grows 20% of its food on site and is planning to grow more edible plants within its 6 acres of grounds.  Approximately 15% of our food is sourced within 10 miles and we are part of a Birmingham City Council project to improve local food procurement.

Improving Digital Skills

All meals are pre ordered online within a set timeframe in advance to help reduce waste and all raw kitchen waste is composted.  Ordering meals online every day allows students to select their own meals and also introduces them to basic digital skills, which not all students will be familiar with before coming to the college.  Improving our digital skills can help to reduce paper waste, enable us to engage more in everyday activities and they often play a key part in helping people to progress their skills and knowledge in other areas.

Our Green Team

We have a staff Green Team at the college that meets regularly and helps to introduce new and innovative environmental projects.  Latest activities include:

• Building an arts shed to enable our arts students to work outdoors and appreciate their tranquil surroundings
• Developing plans for a new bee garden in addition to the existing bee area
• Investing in a new composting method
• New bike stations have been installed at the college along with a repair kit

Other plans are in place to continue to enhance our college environment and green agenda.

Events

In May 2022 we held our very first Fircroft Green Week which was packed with activities to raise awareness about environmental issues.  We were delighted to welcome Friends of the Earth (Birmingham) who talked to staff and students about their work, Eco Birmingham led a local staff and student bike ride and our Catering Manager, Claire, taught students how to make a delicious and inexpensive vegetarian meal.  More events will be held throughout the year.  

Green Gown Awards

In November 2022 we were delighted to be named the winners of the Green Gown Awards' "Campus Food, Health and Drink".  Up against giants in education, all with their own wonderful and innovative entries, we felt this was an especially big win for our little college in the West Midlands.