Pupils at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in Corsham are celebrating after winning a prestigious national Bees’ Needs Champion Award for 2026.
Presented by Defra, the award recognises outstanding work to support pollinators including bees, butterflies and other important insects. St Patrick’s was selected by a national judging panel for a gardening club project that has transformed the front of the school into a flourishing haven for wildlife.
Gardening club lead Mrs Minty attended the official awards ceremony at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden Wisley on Tuesday 14 July. The certificates were presented by the Minister for Nature as part of the national Bees’ Needs Week celebrations.
At the heart of the project is the school’s gardening club, where pupils have worked together to restore and reimagine its outdoor space. What was once an overgrown area has become a colourful sensory garden designed to provide food and shelter for pollinators throughout the year.
The children have taken ownership of the project from the ground up, clearing and improving four large flower beds and three vegetable patches. They also carefully selected plants that provide essential food sources for insects across the seasons.
Early-flowering hellebores were chosen to support bees emerging in spring, while summer favourites including salvia and verbena provide nectar throughout the warmer months.
The project has also encouraged pupils to think scientifically by exploring how different insects are attracted to particular colours, shapes and scents. Their research directly influenced the planting choices, helping to maximise the garden’s contribution to biodiversity.
A key feature of the garden is its creative and sustainable approach. Children repurposed discarded tyres collected from the local area to build a striking sweet pea pyramid, adding height, colour and scent while reinforcing lessons about recycling and environmental responsibility.
Pots of lavender and iris have also been carefully cultivated, creating further nectar-rich spaces. The displays demonstrate how pollinator-friendly planting can be introduced even in smaller gardens and outdoor areas.
The project has received support from Langley Nurseries, which donated plants for seasonal planting. This partnership has enhanced the garden while helping pupils understand the importance of communities and local organisations working together to protect the environment.
Mrs Minty said, “The children are absolutely thrilled that their hard work has been recognised with this national award. They have poured so much time, effort and enthusiasm into creating a garden that helps bees and other pollinators, and they are incredibly proud of what they have achieved.
“Many of them feel a real sense of ownership over the garden, so receiving this award has given them a great boost and shown them that even small actions can have a positive impact on the environment. They are excited to continue caring for the garden and helping wildlife to thrive.”
The Bees’ Needs Champion Award highlights the important role schools and communities can play in protecting pollinators. Pupils at St Patrick’s are now looking forward to continuing their work and helping even more wildlife flourish in the school grounds.
