Over the past few weeks, students and staff have rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in clearing, digging and painting, to transform an unused courtyard area into a peaceful outdoor space for learning at the College of North West London's Willesden Campus.
With the help of ESOL Lecturer Shelley Bennet, our ESOL Study Programme learners led the transformation project from start to finish by digging up weeds, clearing nettles, cutting back hedges, planting flowers and painting murals. Other students on campus heard about the project and pitched in to lend a hand: under the supervision of Tutor Tom McCarthy, Level 3 Welding learners donated a handmade bench made from recycled materials, and Construction learners offered their skills and some of their excess paint.
The space has opened just in time for the summer term, and our ESOL adult learners have already taken part in activities exploring the space and testing their knowledge of English plants and flowers.
It’s a great example of what can happen when students collaborate.