United Colleges Group is building the workforce of the future, and that means we play a crucial role in making sure that our students understand and embrace sustainable practice and ideas. Some ways that we achieve this is by folding environmentally conscious features into our estates – through building biodiverse outside spaces that everyone can engage with – and into the student experience by engaging our learners with exciting eco competitions.
To celebrate AOC Colleges’ National Green Week, check out some of our recent eco-friendly progress towards a more sustainable college and community:
Living roofs/ outside spaces
City of Westminster College Paddington Campus opened some fantastic staff and student terraces in the summer of last year that encouraged our college community to enjoy some city views and fresh air. There is even new outdoor furniture made from beautiful iroko hardwood reclaimed from our former North Wharf Road campus.
What’s more, across half of the terrace area on the third floor, there are living roofs to encourage wildlife and increase biodiversity. Our living roofs also house the college solar panels, which contribute to our energy supply.
Our new EV fleet
Clean Air Day is coming up in June, and the air around campus will be feeling a little different now that we have introduced two new electric vans to our fleet. The transition has significantly lowered our fuel costs, reduced carbon emissions, and decreased air and noise pollution on campus, contributing to an all-round healthier place to learn.
Camden Breathing Better Charter
United Colleges Group is part of the Camden Breathing Better Charter: a Sustainable Markets Initiative dedicated to reducing air pollution emissions and supporting the respiratory health of our workforce. The Camden Breathing Better Charter is made up of more than 23 organisations, with a total of 32,000 Camden employees, who are each taking part in a 12 step roadmap to transform Camden’s air, showing that the most impactful change happens when we work together.
Willesden garden
ESOL Study programme learners have created peaceful outdoor space in an unloved corner of campus at College of North West London. It’s been no small task: they have been digging up weeds, clearing nettles, cutting back hedges, planting flowers and painting murals to create a space for outdoor learning in the summer term.
Level 3 Welding students even donated a handcrafted metal bench made from recycled materials and sustainable hard-wearing paint.
London Eco Awards
City of Westminster College was the only college to win awards at London Clean Air Initiative’s London Eco Champion Awards in December. The college picked up second prize in the Junior Heroes category for our Performing & Production Arts students’ production of Mia & the Fish by Satinder Chohan. Making low impact, environmentally friendly theatre, learners worked with a portable lighting rig, recycled materials, and rechargeable batteries as part of the annual UK-wide, National Theatre Connections Festival. City of Westminster College also took home third prize in the Super Schools category.
Planet Earth Games
City of Westminster College was crowned the winner of Planet Earth Games Further Education 2025 earlier this year for our huge effort creating activities that incentivised sustainability. This included Bottles to Beacons, a workshop transforming used bottles into ornaments, Health and Wellbeing Indoor Games, a series of games designed to enhance mood and physical fitness, Seven Day Salad, encouraging consistent healthy eating, Barnyard Bonding, which involved a visit to Mudchute farm, and Seal the Chill, teaching people how to make their own draught excluders.
“My experience at College of Northwest London, has been exciting, it has been thrilling and it has been full of opportunities, and we have the tutors that help us whenever we’re in need. We go on educational trips to get a feel for what university life is like. We have the careers advisors that help us on our path, our university path.”
“The facilities here are brilliant. You have range of courses you can study. My teachers in the Performing Arts department have got history in the industry, which is very useful. You get to ask them for advice and actual knowledge from the industry, and take that into your own work within the college also afterwards. ”
“At City of Westminster College, my experience has been the best of all the other colleges I’ve attended. The reason I like CWC is because the teachers make my journey easier with assessment and exams. I’m a Level Two Science student and I enjoy my lessons because most of them are practical, which are helpful for me. I love studying at CWC because you meet people from other countries – all over the world and from all different communities.”
“My favourite thing about studying here has definitely got to be the teachers. They’re really helpful, kind and in the industry, so it’s good.”
“The technical knowledge and hands-on experience gained during my apprenticeship at College of North West London have been invaluable, particularly in understanding site processes, health and safety requirements and the understanding of electrical systems.”
“My experience studying at City of Westminster College has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming; I enjoy it very much because of the staff members we have here. They’re very approachable and I could come to them with any question, and it will be answered straight away. And if I come early for a class, I can use the Learning Resources Centre, I can use the computers, the books, just to continue all my studies outside the classroom time.”
“The training process was seamless. I had good instructors who were very flexible, supporting people of all learning levels. On the last day after our exams, a security company came and did a presentation. We had the opportunity to have an interview afterwards. I told them about my experiences, and they said I would be a good fit. I formally applied for a role and started with the company soon after. Getting into security has opened doors for me. I hope I will continue to take steps up the career ladder.”
“Coming to study at the City of Westminster College was the best decision that I had ever made. The teachers are very accommodating – they help you learn things in a way that might be easier for you to learn. They are very supportive and I think that’s one of the best things about learning here.”
“I was so grateful to have won Apprentice of the Year at the West London Business Awards 2026, I could not have done it without the support my company Size Group and the College of North West London.”
