Primary schools in Stafford Borough are being invited to take part in a bee friendly initiative to teach young people about the importance of bumble bees and other pollinators.  

Stafford Borough Council is funding places for up to 10 primary schools to join the Bee Friendly Schools Award, run by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

The award helps students, staff and local communities to build an understanding of bumble bees and to encourage positive actions in the school grounds by creating habitats for bees.  

Schools taking part will receive free registration, access to educational resources, support from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, and the opportunity to receive accreditation if the four criteria’s known as ‘Wings’ are completed, which are:  

• Curriculum - Discover bumblebees through curriculum-linked activities, including stories, games and play-based learning.  
• Habitat - Create simple spaces where pollinators can find food.  
• Monitoring - Encourage children to get outside and begin observing bumblebees and other wildlife.  
• Community - Share your learning to inspire others to help pollinators.  

Councillor Tony Pearce, the Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for schools to get children involved in learning about nature in a fun and practical way.

“Bees and other pollinators are vital to our environment, and through this award pupils can help create wildlife friendly spaces while gaining valuable knowledge about the natural world.”

Since launching in 2021, the award has already had success in the borough with a gold award being achieved by John Wheeldon Primary Academy. Stafford was also awarded Bee Friendly status in 2024.  

Funding is limited to the first 10 schools and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Schools interested in taking part should register their interest by sending the name of their school and a contact person's details to climatechange@staffordbc.gov.uk

For more information visit Bee Friendly Stafford Borough | Stafford Borough Council and for information about the council's sustainability work visit, Sustainability and Climate Change | Stafford Borough Council

Press Release No 6339