Bee crisis highlighted at Hackney School

Children of Jubilee Primary School, Stoke Newington, learn about bees on the Bee Awareness Day. (Image: Archant)

There was a real buzz at a Hackney school last week as youngsters donned protective bee suits to find out more about the pollinating insects.

Erika Seberini of Ecoactive,left, and teacher Amanda Williams with children of Jubilee Primary School, Stoke Newington, on the Bee Awareness Day. (Image: Archant)

Bees have been kept at Jubilee Primary School in Filey Avenue, Stoke Newington, for the past year, spurring environmental co-ordinator Amanda Williams to organise the Bee Awareness Day.

“I wanted to raise awareness the important job they do as pollinators, what is happening to them and what we can do to help them,” said Ms Williams.

Last month the government launched an “urgent” review of the crisis facing bees and other pollinators in the UK and pledged to introduce a national strategy.

Bees fertilise three-quarters of global food crops and have seen severe declines in recent decades, due to loss of habitat, disease and harmful pesticides.

Reception children came to school dressed as bees, some children took part in bee-themed workshops, while others had bee-keeping demonstrations.

Six children from each year group were chosen to wear protective bee suits to look into the hives and meet the insects close-up.

“The children really enjoyed meeting the bees and found out many interesting facts about bees and bumble bees and the jobs that they do,” said Ms Williams.