From the British Beekeepers' Association (BBKA):
The BBKA will officially launch its new Pollinator Protectors education programme for primary schools on Tuesday (23 June).
The launch is timed to coincide with Invasive Species Week (22–28 June 2026), giving primary schools across the UK a free, curriculum‑linked way to teach children about pollinators, invasive species and environmental stewardship — while supporting national efforts to detect the Yellow‑legged Asian hornet.
The project, designed for Year 6 pupils (aged 10–11), has been successfully trialled at Kenilworth Primary School in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, where pupils built simple monitoring stations, observed insect activity in their school grounds and learned how early detection helps protect bees and other pollinators.
The programme supports the UK’s wider biosecurity response to the yellow‑legged Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax), an invasive predator that poses a serious threat to honey bees and other pollinating insects.
Lucie Chaumeton, BBKA Trustee, said: “Children are natural entomologists. Pollinator Protectors channels that curiosity into powerful citizen science, helping pupils learn about ecosystems, invasive species and the importance of early reporting. The Borehamwood trial showed just how engaged and capable young people are when given the tools to contribute.”
Developed by Lucie and Barnsley‑based teacher and beekeeper Richard Senior, the four‑week programme is fully curriculum‑linked and free for schools and home educators. Pupils explore food chains, habitats, mapping skills, data handling and scientific communication through hands‑on activities. Optional extension tasks encourage children to research other invasive species, create awareness materials and collaborate with local beekeepers.
Professor Nicola Spence CBE, Defra Chief Plant Health Officer, said: “Public awareness and education are essential to the UK’s response to invasive non‑native species. Initiatives such as the BBKA’s Pollinator Protectors project help young people understand biosecurity, species identification and the importance of early detection. Engaging pupils in this way supports wider national efforts to protect our environment and agricultural systems.”
All activities follow BBKA safety guidance and emphasise responsible, supervised observation — not approaching or disturbing hornets or nests.
The BBKA has provided a full risk assessment and schools-tailored monitoring guidance, as well as a full teacher packs to support confident delivery (lesson plans, worksheets, presentation materials and even recorded lessons).
The launch comes as the UK continues to see rising incursions of the yellow‑legged Asian hornet. The BBKA hopes the programme will raise awareness among young people and support national reporting efforts via the Asian Hornet Watch app.
Schools and home educators can access the full project framework, resources and guidance — all free of charge — at:
www.bbka.org.uk/pollinator-science-project