Oakgrove a British Beekeepers Association Beacon School

7 November 2023

Only the second school in the country to be presented with Beacon School status by the British Beekeepers Association, Oakgrove is delighted that educating its pupils on the enjoyment and importance of bees in the environment has been recognised.

President of the British Beekeepers Association, Anne Rowberry, visited Oakgrove in November for a student-led tour of its apiary and to present the school with its Beacon School certificate.

It was a privilege to welcome Anne to Oakgrove School and to be officially acknowledged as a centre of excellence by the National Beekeeping Association, said Headteacher Ian Tett.

Anne met staff and the students who attend the school’s twice weekly Bee Club. The students explained how they benefit from the wide-range of activities that the school’s on-site apiary provides.

 Oakgrove, which has 22 hives, also shares its knowledge and best practice with other schools and the local community. We have installed two hives at St Paul’s School and will soon be setting up hives at Kents Hill Park School. We also recently held an open day to demonstrate to the local community the value of beekeeping.

Each of our hives produces 50 to 80 jars of honey per year, with some jars sold to help fund equipment for the Bee Club.