Excited pupils at a Harborough primary school get their very own bee hive with 20,000 bees

They will be playing a crucial part in helping to look after and care for the bees
Bee keeper Jak Law and Simone Harrison, deputy head at Farndon Fields Primary School, with their newly installed bee hive.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERBee keeper Jak Law and Simone Harrison, deputy head at Farndon Fields Primary School, with their newly installed bee hive.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Bee keeper Jak Law and Simone Harrison, deputy head at Farndon Fields Primary School, with their newly installed bee hive. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Excited pupils at a flourishing primary school in Market Harborough are well and truly buzzing after getting their very own bee hive.

Youngsters are being stung into action as the hive with 20,000 bees turned up at Farndon Fields Primary School on the town’s Southern Estate today (Wednesday).

And they will be playing a crucial part in helping to look after and care for their new pollinating pals as the school continues to embrace the Great Outdoors.

Simone Harrison, the school’s deputy headteacher, said: “We are all very excited to be getting the brilliant bee hive here at Farndon Fields.

“Our children can hardly contain their excitement – and it gives us all a great big buzz!

Bees are just fantastic and they are going to be a massive addition to our entire school community.”

She has now written to the parents of their pupils to tell them all about the bold new insect initiative.

“We were fortunate to be put in touch with the Bearded Beekeepers (Jak and Jason), who are based just over the Northamptonshire border.

“They have generously agreed to us hosting one of their cherished beehives on our extensive school site and they will be supporting us all the way,” said Simone.

“We are always seeking ways to extend and enhance our curriculum offer here.

“And we are very much involved and totally engaged with the Great Outdoors, the environment and nature.

“Key issues such as equality, diversity and national and global sustainability are right at the heart of our teaching and what we do here.

“Bees are a critical part of and play a vital role in our whole eco system.

“Many of us know that they are under threat for various reasons.

“But they pollinate a lot of the food that we rely upon every day of our lives,” stressed Simone.

“The bees will help our pupils learn about biodiversity and how our food chain works along with the science.

“Over the last few years, we have had the pond and vegetable garden area revitalised by volunteers from Avant Homes.

“We have developed the sensory garden in EYFS and the garden space in Mini-Oaks.

“We have had solar panels installed on the roof of the KS2 building as part of a whole Trust project, installed new play equipment for KS1, a new trim trail for KS2 and outdoor classroom seating area at the southern corner of the field.

“It is so important for our children to get out and about in the fresh air and to engage with and become a big part of our natural environment,” said Simone, whose school has 315 youngsters altogether ranging from two to 11.

“We have recently collaborated with Harborough Woodland to plant saplings to improve the environment, providing animal habitats and helping to prevent flooding.

“Our teachers are also undertaking training linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to support the development of our whole school curriculum.”

Waxing lyrical about their new bee hive, Simone said: “There are many advantages to have such a wonderful resource on site.

“These range from the obvious links to sciences such as studying mini-beasts, pollination and sustainability to using the hive and bees to explore elements of history, art, maths and music.

“As well as providing opportunities for developing practical skills - from design technology lessons to making dishes using honey.

“We have had a full risk assessment and put all the appropriate facilities in place, guided by the British Beekeepers Association and approved by our Trust Director of Operations.

“Farndon Family have generously funded the materials for the construction of an enclosure for the bees, while Nigel Burnham did the hard work of building it.

“You may be able to spot the enclosure tucked away at the back of the field, away from where children play at break times.

“To begin with, we will be allowing the bees to settle into their new home and surroundings.

“In future, with the support of Jak, Jason and the school community, we aim to introduce staff and pupils to aspects of beekeeping and safely observing the bees.

“It’s absolutely critical that our youngsters start working with bees as well as our natural environment right across the board now.

“Because they are going to be living with the consequences of what we are doing now in society as they grow older,” said Simone.

“Receiving the bees is a hugely positive step forward for all of us here at Farndon Fields and we are really looking forward to having them live here alongside us.”