Pupils '˜buzzing' with joy after winning award

St Alban's Primary with their bee awards from Defra

Pupils at St Alban’s Church of England Primary School in Havant were presented with a Defra award for their creation of a habitat for bees.

Dubbed the Bees’ Needs Champions Award, the environmental prize was presented by Defra minister John Gardiner – at a ceremony at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, London, earlier this month.

The school sowed and planted wildflowers and other bee friendly borders, installed a ‘bee wall’ and planted up pollinator-friendly plants in the local Hermitage Open Space, impressing the judges with their dedication to protecting bees in the surrounding area.

Year 6 pupil Heidi Woolmer said: ‘I was really happy to win the award.

‘It was fun listening to all the people speaking about pollinators at Kew Gardens.

‘We need to save more pollinators.’

Ingrid Souza Correa, also Year 6, said: ‘I enjoyed it. I learned a lot as well. I was honoured to be there – I’ve never won such an important award.

‘I’m pleased I’m helping the environment.’

Olivia Twine, who is in Year 5, said: ‘It was a lot of fun, definitely.

‘I was very happy and not expecting to get it.

‘I think the work we are doing is important because the pollinators are declining.’

Headteacher Nicola Hordell said: ‘I’m delighted that children at St Alban’s have been able to show that it really is possible for them to make a positive difference in God’s world.

‘It is inspirational to the whole school community to see that we can improve the world around us.’