Heart of Yorkshire Education Group Achieves National Recognition in Planet Earth Games 2026

Leigh Allsop, Local College Director at Wakefield College (left) with Clare Allcock, Group Executive Director for Student Experience & Support and Sustainability Lead at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group (right).

The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group is celebrating outstanding success in the Planet Earth Games 2026, with Wakefield College student, Julia, being named the highest points scorer nationally in the competition.

Over three months, staff and students from the three colleges engaged in a wide range of activities designed to promote sport, sustainability, health and wellbeing, social connection, conservation and climate action. The initiative encourages people of all ages to connect with nature, take meaningful steps to combat climate change, and improve their overall wellbeing.

The Group demonstrated outstanding collective commitment, with all three colleges placing within the top 10 out of 19 institutions nationwide.

Wakefield College led the way in the Tier 3 category, securing 1st place with an impressive 8,330 points, topping the leaderboard among colleges of a similar size.

A Level student Julia individually achieved the highest number of points in the UK, demonstrating exceptional dedication throughout the competition.

Julia’s commitment to sustainability extends far beyond the games, actively incorporating environmentally conscious practices into her daily life. Julia said: 

“I really enjoyed taking part in the competition! I've always tried to live sustainably by shopping second-hand, eating meat-free meals and using public transport, so I was thrilled to get involved. It was great to see our college highlighting these important issues and all the students taking part.”

During the competition, she consistently sought out opportunities to participate in sustainable activities, from completing challenges to engaging in community initiatives such as litter-picking.

Staff from across the Group also ranked amongst the top 20 nationally, including May Goate (3rd place), Vic Wild, Rachel Rayner, Nathan Hudson, Sarah Bruce, Clare Allcock and Principal Sam Wright. Vic said: 

“Taking part in Planet Earth Games encouraged me to think more carefully about the small changes I can make in everyday life. For example, I’ve started rewilding part of my garden - with the added bonus of less mowing and more space for wildflowers to thrive. It helped focus my thoughts on the impact I have on the environment and gave me the opportunity to reflect on what I can do to minimise it.”

Pastoral Tutor, Vic Wild, in particular championed the Group’s participation in the Yorkshire Innovation Challenge within the pastoral curriculum, inspiring students to develop innovative responses to the climate crisis.

Hosted at Wakefield College and endorsed by WorldSkills, the challenge tasked students with ‘designing something that will solve a sustainability issue whilst addressing one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’.

Representing Selby College and competing against students from Sheffield College, Barnsley College, Castleford College and Wakefield College, student Jacob claimed the top prize by

The competition was also sponsored by Steve Frampton MBE SS4FE (Sustainability Support for Further Education) and the Renewable Energy Coalition for Academia (RECFA), with judges from a range of roles in the education, sustainability and industry sectors.

Clare Allcock, Group Executive Director for Student Experience & Support and Sustainability Lead at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: 

“This has truly been our best year yet at the Planet Earth Games, and it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come as a Group. What’s particularly inspiring is how everything is coming together - from our success in the Games, to the innovation and engagement shown in the sustainability competition and the launch of our Climate Action Plan. It really shows that our commitment to sustainability isn’t just a strategy, it’s something our students and colleagues are actively bringing to life every day.”

To find out more about the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group’s sustainability journey, please visit its Sustainability page. 

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