Lancashire school creates a buzz with inspiring honeybee project

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Brownedge St Mary's Catholic High School in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire is celebrating the success of its growing honeybee project, an initiative that has inspired hundreds of students to engage with environmental stewardship, biodiversity, and sustainable living.

The project, launched as part of the school's commitment to the LiveSimply Award, has seen the introduction of a honeybee colony on-site, alongside a series of educational workshops, creative competitions, and hands-on beekeeping experiences.

Honeybees are vital to maintaining ecosystems and food production, with pollinators responsible for one in every three mouthfuls of food consumed globally. Recognising their importance, Brownedge St. Mary's developed the project to support both environmental action and the principles outlined in Laudato Si', Pope Francis' call for an "integral ecology" and greater care for creation.

As part of the initiative, students were invited to design the school's beehives in a house competition, generating more than 150 entries. The competition showcased exceptional creativity and helped raise awareness of the importance of pollinators in protecting local biodiversity.

Building on this success, the school later launched a second competition to design safety and awareness signs for the bee area, attracting an impressive 187 entries and further strengthening pupil engagement.

To deepen understanding, the school partnered with Buzzing with Wonder Ltd, whose expert beekeeper Idrees delivered workshops to Year 8 students, exploring the role of honeybees, hive structure, and the ethical questions surrounding beekeeping.

Following the overwhelming success of these workshops, Brownedge St. Mary's established a six-week beekeeping course, allowing students to gain practical experience in hive inspections, colony care, honey production, and the wider environmental importance of pollinators.

A school spokesperson said: "This project has been about much more than keeping bees. It has given our students the opportunity to learn about ecology, responsibility, and the interconnectedness of all living things. The enthusiasm shown by our pupils has been incredible, and it reflects our commitment to living simply, sustainably, and in solidarity with others."

The initiative marks another significant step in Brownedge St Mary's wider environmental mission, reinforcing its dedication to sustainability, ecological education, and Catholic Social Teaching, while empowering young people to take meaningful action for the planet.

As the honeybee colony continue to thrive, the school hopes the project will inspire the wider Bamber Bridge community and beyond to recognise the vital role pollinators play and the simple actions everyone can take to protect them.

Brownedge St Mary's Catholic High School is committed to academic excellence, faith formation, and social responsibility. Through initiatives such as the LiveSimply Award, the school encourages pupils to live simply, sustainably, and in solidarity with others.

LINK

Brownedge St Mary's Catholic High School: www.st-maryshigh.lancs.sch.uk/