Dearne Valley College Reaches the Green Gown Award Final for Manvers Lake Community Project
Huge news for everyone across campus: Our College has officially been named as a national finalist at the United Kingdom Green Gown Awards (GGA)!
We’ve been shortlisted for the prestigious Benefiting Society Award, and it’s all thanks to the incredible work our students have been putting in down at Manvers Lake.
What are the Green Gown Awards?
Think of the Green Gown Awards as the sustainability Oscars for colleges and universities across the UK and Ireland.
They highlight real-world impact projects that don’t just talk about helping the planet, but actually get out there and change local communities for the better.
Making it to the finals is a massive deal! It puts our college on the national map alongside top institutions, proving that the practical skills our students learn every day are making a real, lasting difference.
Teamwork in Action: How Our Students Have Been Transforming Manvers
This recognition isn’t just about one department- it was a huge, collaborative effort across multiple subject areas. Students stepped up from all corners of the college to help Manvers Lake stay clean, green, and a welcoming spot for the community:
- Animal Care and Land: Led the charge on maintaining the land, planting fresh flora, boosting local biodiversity, and keeping the pathways clear for visitors.
- Esports, FLEX and Project-Based Learning: Got hands-on with general groundwork and gave the landscape a fresh look using eco-friendly, sustainable paints on the surrounding fences. They even found time to plant some trees!
- Sports and Protective Service: Organised and carried out vital litter-picks around the perimeter of the lake, ensuring the banks and water edges stayed completely waste-free.
- Construction: Pitched in on the structural upgrades, getting stuck into construction work for the expanding lakeside cafe and outdoor seating to create a great space for visitors.
Why We’re So Proud
Whether it was clearing paths, doing essential litter sweeps, getting stuck into landscaping, or using eco-friendly materials, every single hour our students put in helped protect a vital local space.
‘Watching students from completely different courses come together for a shared cause has been incredible. They didn’t just meet their course requirements; they excelled, going above and beyond showing true pride in their local community’. – Quote from our Director of Campus Stacey Higgs.
The learners not only worked within their own vocational area, they worked with others, many making their own way to the Lake, gaining vital socio-economic skills alongside their vocational choice.
Student engagement with the community was exemplary, and they were a real credit to Dearne Valley College in their knowledge and professional behaviours. We are super proud of each and every one of our students.
Next Stop: The Finals!
We can’t wait to head to the Green Gown Awards finals ceremony to represent our college and showcase what our students can achieve when they combine skills, teamwork, and green ambition.
A massive congratulations and thank you to every student who rolled up their sleeves and helped us reach the finals. Stay tuned as we prepare for awards night!