The second Colleges Week, the national celebration of the role that colleges play in celebrating the opportunities Colleges create for individuals, businesses and Britain, is taking place during the week of 9-15 November 2009.

This year Palmer’s College plans to take part in the celebration of Colleges Week with the IB students working with local students with moderate learning difficulties at Treetops School.

As part of the IB students Community, Action, Service (CAS) programme, the students have been busy planning and delivering lessons about the environment to students from Treetops School in Thurrock as well as mentoring them and building their knowledge of environmental issues such as the greenhouse effect, endangered species, the rainforest, carbon footprints etc. The sessions have been taking place each week on Tuesday's either at Palmer’s College or at Treetops School since September.

Mark Vinall, Principal of Palmer’s College said: “I am extremely proud of the students devoting their time to help local learners both academically as well as increasing their knowledge around local issues such as the environment.

He added: “We are excited to celebrate Colleges Week as it is a real opportunity to celebrate the opportunities that Colleges create for individuals and recognise our world class workforce that is helping to build Britain's future."

The students have been designing environmental posters as well as developing a carbon footprint garden on the grounds of both the College and Treetops School using
spring bulbs. The right foot will be at Palmer’s and the left carbon footprint at the School.

The third environmental project involves the students creating a mural at Treetops School and will be designed, drawn and painted by both groups of students and will also carry an environmental message. It will also be a celebration of our 4 seasons; they will be starting with Autumn. The mural will be painted on the balcony of the school’s new building during visits to the school. The IB students are happy to give up their free lessons to go to the school to carry on the work. It is intended to be an ongoing project for future students to participate in too.

Jill Wingham from Treetops School said: “We feel that working alongside each other on this joint environmental project has been beneficial to both Treetops and Palmers IB students. Social skills are an important part of community life. This project has given both Treetops and Palmers students the opportunity to gain the understanding and knowledge that comes from working in a different environment, which I feel is so important in the world today.”

Colleges Week is being co-ordinated and organised by the Association of Colleges (AoC) and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS).