College Wins Hat-Trick of Top Education & Sustainability Awards

Plumpton College’s reputation as a world-class provider of land and environmental education for Further & Higher Education in the South East has been further solidified in recent weeks after the award-winning College and its high achieving students received three top awards in the Education and Sustainability Sectors.

GREEN GOWN NATIONAL ‘NATURE POSITIVE’ AWARD 2025

In sustainability, Plumpton College has been named national winner of the prestigious Nature Positive Award at the 2025 UK & Ireland Green Gown Awards, recognising its outstanding commitment to protecting and enhancing biodiversity across its campus and curriculum. Delivered by the EAUC (the Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education) in association with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Green Gown Awards celebrate sustainability excellence across the education sector.

Plumpton College’s winning initiative, “Our Nature, Your Future,” embodies the institution’s vision to place sustainability and environmental responsibility at the heart of every decision. The College has created a living, learning ecosystem where people and wildlife thrive side by side. Every corner of the South Downs campus — from green roofs and meadow grasses to standing deadwood habitats and a rewilded churchyard — demonstrates its ‘Nature First’ ethos.

Students from all departments take part in local, national, and international environmental projects, learning how small, practical steps can have a major collective impact. The College’s work promotes a deeper understanding of how humans and nature coexist, inspiring learners to become future custodians of the environment.

Reflecting on the award, Alex Waterfield, Head of Grounds & Gardens and Sustainability lead shares:

Being recognised as the Nature Positive Winner is an incredible honour for everyone at Plumpton College. This award celebrates the collective effort of our students, staff, and partners who share a vision of putting nature first. We hope our work inspires others to realise that every small action contributes to a much larger impact — and that together, we can turn the tide on the nature crisis.

Plumpton College’s ‘nature first’ ethos continues to bloom into their centenary year, with the next green project already underway; The Centenary BeeLine (BeeLine to Success) and Orchard builds upon the inclusive and community focused work that was so pivotal in Plumpton being awarded this year’s Green Gown award.

AOC HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARDED TO PLUMPTON’S ZOE TOOLE

Meanwhile in the Education sector, student Zoe Toole who is studying BSc (Hons) in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare was crowned winner of the Association of Colleges Higher Education Student of the Year sponsored by QAA which celebrates unique students from AoC member colleges across England.

The AoC states:

These awards show the fantastic work that students are doing in colleges as well as the lengths colleges go to support their students. The awards are an opportunity to highlight outstanding and exceptional individuals and showcase their achievements, talents, and successes. These students have gone above and beyond to give back and positively impact their college and community.

From the outset, Zoe demonstrated a remarkable passion for animal welfare, especially in the area of assistance dogs, and has used her academic journey as a launchpad for both professional and charitable contributions to the sector as industry representative Claire Pesterfield, Medical Liaison and Application Manager, Medical Detection Dogs UK highlights here:
 

Zoe is a truly exemplary student whose drive, compassion, and self-motivation shine through everything she does. Her empathy, approachability, and dedication to raising awareness around assistance dogs have not only enriched the learning environment at Plumpton but are also contributing to policy, public understanding, and practical outcomes in the real world.  In summary, Zoe is an outstanding candidate for this award. She has already made a significant difference in the lives of animals and people alike, and there is no doubt she will continue to do so in her future career.

LAND-BASED & ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS

Further recognition was gained in the Land-based environmental education sector at the annual Land-based and Environmental Learner of the Year Awards held on the 3rd December, with Plumpton’s horticultural student Molly Sheppard-Ward gaining the award for Further Education Learner of the Year.

In her second year of study, the LBEL Award judges recognised how much Molly has accomplished and the effect her work ethic and leadership have had on peers, tutors, and the wider community. On Molly’s achievement, Plumpton’s Horticultural Programme Manager Joseph Peters enthuses:

 We are delighted for Molly -  this award is richly deserved. One of Molly’s most significant achievements to date at Plumpton College has been her leadership of a student team tasked with designing and building a show garden for the BBC Gardener’s World Show—one of the UK’s most prestigious horticultural events. Molly not only contributed towards the core design concept but also managed the logistical and organisational elements of the project, working collaboratively with her peers and mentors.  This culminated in the delivery of a garden that was both technically excellent and visually compelling; going on to receive widespread acclaim, earning a Silver Gilt medal and, notably, the People’s Choice Award.  A testament to the garden’s creativity, accessibility, and impact on visitors.

Molly’s future in the horticultural sector is exceptionally bright. Her combination of academic strength, practical excellence, leadership ability, and passion for green spaces will undoubtedly continue to benefit both the industry and wider community.

As Plumpton College looks forward to celebrating their Centenary year in 2026, it’s pleasing to see the award-winning institution continuing to raise the bar with the quality of education it provides and the calibre of students that graduate from its prestigious South Downs campus; providing the rural land and environmental industries with keen, committed environmental stewards and highly qualified leaders of tomorrow.

To discover how you can make the most of a Plumpton College education, meet tutors and students at our next Open Events on 17th January and 21st March.  Book here: https://www.plumpton.ac.uk/news-events/calendar-of-events/visit-us-at-an-open-event-on-17-january-2026/