Bridgwater Primary School Wins Prestigious Defra Bees’ Needs Champions Award for Wildlife Project
By Schools Correspondent
A Bridgwater primary school has been crowned one of Britain’s bee-friendly champions after an inspiring project led by pupils helped transform its grounds into a haven for wildlife.
Northgate Primary School has won one of just 26 prestigious Bees’ Needs Champions Awards 2026, presented by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), recognising the school’s outstanding work to protect bees and other vital pollinators.
Teaching Assistant and Gardening Club Coordinator Kate James-Powell travelled to RHS Garden Wisley to collect the national award from Mary Creagh MP, Minister for Nature, after leading the school’s hugely successful Save the Bees Project.
The project began on World Bee Day 2025 with a simple appeal for seed donations.
One year later, pupils have helped create a thriving Nectar Café, planted bee-friendly flowers and fruit trees, established a colourful wildflower meadow, built bug hotels, bee ponds and wildlife habitats, and turned parts of the school grounds into flourishing spaces for nature.
Funding from the National Education Nature Park allowed the school to install raised beds packed with nectar-rich plants, introduce water-saving tanks and expand habitats for pollinators.
Alongside the conservation work, children enjoyed honey tasting, bee quizzes and creative activities, including building their own colourful Northgate Hive from individually decorated wooden hexagons.
The impact has been remarkable.
Butterflies, dragonflies, moths and a growing variety of bees are now regularly spotted around the school, while pupils delight in discovering grasshoppers, ladybirds, beetles and woodlice among the thriving wildlife habitats.
The year-long project culminated on World Bee Day 2026 with a whole-school celebration, where every child received a special bee charm to recognise their contribution to helping nature.
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Kate James-Powell said:
“We are incredibly proud to have been named one of Defra’s national Bees’ Needs Champions. This award recognises the hard work and enthusiasm of our children, families and staff who have all played a part in making a real difference for pollinators.
“What was once seen as a small buzzing insect to be feared is now viewed as a friendly, hardworking and essential part of our garden – our little stripy miracle.
“My biggest hope is that we have inspired future generations to protect our wonderful pollinators and shown that no matter how big or small the space, everyone can make a positive difference.”
Headteacher Katie Penny said:
“We are absolutely delighted that Northgate Primary School has received the Bees’ Needs Champions Award 2026.
“Kate’s passion, dedication and enthusiasm have inspired our pupils and the wider community to support pollinators, and we are incredibly proud to see her hard work recognised with this prestigious national honour.”
