Beekeeping is Officially on the Curriculum.
I’m privileged to be invited to support the Scottish teachers who are helping students learn beekeeping and work towards National Progression Awards (NPA) National 5 Beekeeping Courses held at some schools in the country. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) approves this course.
The Pioneers.
For several years, Miss Lorraine Johnston from Annan Academy, and Mr Ray Baxter from Kelso High School have been working tirelessly behind the scenes setting up successful beekeeping clubs at their schools, and raising awareness among colleagues. Now there are more than 20 teachers across Scotland on board and setting up apiaries near their schools.
Funding.
Funding is tight in schools but money can be obtained from grants. Applying for them involves much hard work but it pays off. I’ve recently visited Annan Academy’s bee club and marveled at their equipment and how proud the pupils are of their achievements. Two of their club members have been chosen to attend The International Meeting of Young Beekeepers (IMYB) in Slovakia in July which is a big deal.
First Meeting at Roslin Institute 21st June.
We meet at the Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre at Roslin Institute, the birthplace of Dolly the sheep (first mammal clone in the world). The meeting’s aim is to share ideas and resources so as to reduce the workload and improve teaching and learning. Currently, some teachers have to teach beekeeping in their own time whilst others have between 1-3 periods during the school day for this activity. So, promotion of the NPA Nat 5 Beekeeping course and encouraging teachers, students and schools to get involved is key to getting equality for teachers and pupils across the country.
Sharing Information & Inspiring Others.
I’m impressed by how much has already been achieved in a relatively short time. The day brings together collective intelligence and many resources making it easier to share this audacious initiative with teachers and others who were unable to attend this first meeting.
How inspiring. Children can greatly benefit by learning to take care of the honeybees. A fun activity whilst learning to be responsible. An action that benefits the children, the bees and our planet.
Yes, Maria it is. I’m so pleased to see that this is to be offered in schools as it may also lead to careers in beekeeping for some.
Fantastic news…I’m sending this to my niece in Dunfermline and see if her school will support also.
Great to see grass roots development in such a worthy cause .
Gregor, this is great. Thanks. Perhaps your niece could contact a local beekeeper (there are a lot in Fife) for support if she thought that there might be an interest in setting up beekeeping. What is so good is that this beginning opens the way for higher, advanced higher, HNC, HND in Beekeeping. Wouldn’t it be fab to have our own diploma in Scotland, and that the education body for it was recognised and affiliated to a school/college. The only current route to a diploma in beekeeping in the UK at the moment is via the National Diploma in Beekeeping and they are essentially a private group with no affiliation to an education authority.
This is so cool! These school-based programs on bees an d beekeeping give students the opportunity to learn about bees based on first-hand experiences…. the most powerful way to learn, methinks. I admire the Scottish teachers who are producing these programs.
Yes, indeed, Tom. What is so impressive is that the pioneers have started this on a shoe-string and done a lot of work in their own time.This also might be the start of Scotland getting a system that leads to diploma level beekeeping.
Great work from Ann and Lorraine, keep it up. 😊