Sustainability
News about global warming and its impact on the environment is everywhere. As a College we take our responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment very seriously and sustainability issues are high on our agenda.
Working with some of the sixth form and pathway students, the College has created a sustainable garden within its own grounds.
The project has been funded from various sources including:- Connexions, Durham University Botanical Gardens have offered to donate plants and some natural sculptures and some members of staff have bought plants and paid for other resources. Durham City Council has requested a meeting to discuss helping us to fund the project, we are applying to the National Lottery Fund for a grant and we are also organising a raffle.
The RSPB and Washington Wildlife Trust have given us advice on attracting wildlife. B&Q may also be contributing in the way of vouchers.
Permission was given, to take seeds from Hamsterley Forest which were subsequently planted in the garden. John Graydon (Head of Facilities) has advised on the planting of natural bulbs and students worked closely with the local police in gaining their advice on the safe disposal of rubbish in the wooded area. Durham Bat Conservation Trust have also advised on making bat boxes. Currently, we are looking at making compost containers from recycled wood or some other equally suitable material and making herb containers for planting herbs.