Community-Focused Sustainable Construction in Action

About 

Burton and South Derbyshire College’s Construction Department benefits society and the local community by using its expertise, partnerships, and resources to address real regional needs. They deliver a coordinated programme of community-focused construction activity that responds to challenges such as underfunded infrastructure, heritage at risk, and the need for sustainable building practices. Learners and staff work with employers and community partners on real projects including early-years outdoor learning environments, heritage restoration, and local infrastructure improvements. A key example is the transformation of Church Gresley Preschool’s outdoor space, developed with Gunite and Shotcrete Services, which embedded circular economy principles through reuse of donated materials. They also support the preservation of culturally significant heritage assets, including Blithfield Hall and Sinai Park House, using sustainable construction techniques to repair and restore historic structures. Through STEM outreach and school engagement, the College promotes access to construction careers and develops future skills across the region.

Top 3 learning

1. Our community construction projects create stronger learner engagement and meaningful social impact locally.
2. Our employer partnerships are developed and improve project quality and real-world relevance.
3. We are proud of our heritage restoration projects which strengthen civic pride and develop specialist sustainable construction skills.

What it would mean to win

Sustainability is embedded within the College’s strategic goals and objectives, led by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). “Be sustainable in all we do” is a core priority within our Adaptive Plan, ensuring sustainability is not only a stated value but is evidenced across all areas of the College. Winning a Green Gown Award would be highly significant for us. It would recognise and validate the progress we are making towards Net Zero and demonstrate the impact of our whole-organisation approach. It would also help us maintain momentum in delivering our long-term sustainability targets. We are making strong progress towards becoming a Net Zero College by 2050. Our work is guided by the AoC Climate Commission roadmap, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and our membership of EAUC’s Race to Zero for Universities and Colleges. These frameworks support us in embedding sustainability across curriculum, operations, and campus development, while also sharing and reporting progress nationally and internationally. We take a whole-organisation approach to sustainability, with leadership and governance, estates and operations, teaching and learning, and external partnerships all contributing. This ensures we are preparing learners for the future, acting as a responsible organisation, and contributing positively to society. A Green Gown Award would provide valuable external recognition and feedback to further strengthen our work. We remain committed to continuously improving and embedding sustainable practice across everything we do.

SDG