Schools

Schools and bees

If your school is looking at how you teach children about the environment, bees are a great way to go and you can become ‘bee friendly’ without having to keep honey bees on site.  

The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) has lots of suggestions of how you can integrate information into your curriculum:

A small garden area or even a selection of pots can be planted with Spring bulbs, shrubs and perennials to attract pollinators. Pupils can also make bee and bug hotels to add to the garden area (How to Guide included). More ideas here...  

If you'd like to arrange for a local beekeeper from Southport and District Beekeepers to visit to give pupils a talk about bees and beekeeping. We can bring a virtual hive (not live bees) and may also be able to bring in an observation hive (live bees) together with some samples of honey. Contact: vanessa.wakefield@southportbeekeepers.co.uk

Schools can also make use of the BBKA’s ‘Bees in the Curriculum’ teaching resources. This Key Stage 1 and 2 resource has been written for the BBKA by beekeepers from the teaching profession and provides fact sheets and work sheets about bees, minibeasts, bee products, the beekeeper and pollination.  

You may also want to sign up for the BBKA’s 'Friends of the Honey Bee' initiative to show your school's commitment to supporting honey bees and pollinators. Designed to be as inclusive and creative as possible, a wide range of projects qualify, and schools and groups across a broad spectrum can apply. You will receive a certificate, stickers and a copy of the BBKA’s termly newsletter. The BBKA has a person specifically to support schools through the Friends of the Honey Bee process contact them at: schools.officer@bbka.org.uk