Schools and Groups Programme

Our Schools & Groups education programme introduces children and young people to the fascinating world of honey bees through hands‑on, curriculum‑linked learning. We welcome primary schools, Scouts, Guides, Beavers, Cubs and other youth organisations to explore honey bees, pollination and the environment with our experienced and enthusiastic volunteer team.

What will they learn

Our sessions support the National Curriculum in science and environmental education. Topics include:

1. What makes an insect an insect
2. The life cycle of the honey bee
3. How bees pollinate flowering plants
4. Habitats and environmental stewardship
5. The importance of planting for pollinators

Learning is practical, engaging and memorable! Children see real bees at work and take part in activities designed to spark curiosity.

Visits to the Twickenham Apiary

During the Summer Term, we run:

1. Two morning sessions per week (usually Wednesday and Thursday)
2. Additional early‑evening sessions for youth groups

A typical visit includes:

1. An introductory presentation on insect characteristics, honey bee life cycles and their role in pollination
2. Small‑group observation of a live colony from our safe viewing hide, where children can see, hear and smell the bees at work - and maybe get to hold a drone!
3. Age‑appropriate activities such as:
   1. Life‑cycle game (Key Stage 1)
   2. Pollination challenge (Key Stage 2)
4. A group discussion on how we can improve the environment for pollinators, using our apiary garden as a real example

Accessibility & Safeguarding

1. Maximum group size: 30 children plus accompanying adults
2. The toilets, Discovery Centre, main hall, garden and viewing hide are all wheelchair accessible
3. Two toilets are available, including one designed for people with disabilities
4. All regular volunteers are DBS checked and follow TTVBKA safeguarding guidelines

Children are always supervised, and all activities are designed with safety in mind

For more information on School sessions, click here

Outreach Visits to Schools

If your group cannot travel to the apiary, we can, on occasion, come to you.

Our outreach sessions use (depending on location/date/times):

1. A portable observation hive
2. A “dummy hive” with photo frames showing the inside of a colony
3. Early Years insect life‑cycle activities
4. Children’s bee suits to try on

These visits bring some of the excitement of honey bees into your school environment.

Our Impact

In 2025, our Young People’s Education team:

1. Worked with 15 local schools
2. Delivered sessions to nurseries, Scouts, Beavers, Cubs, Guides and youth groups
3. Engaged with around 900 children across the local area

Our volunteers work hard to adapt content for each group, ensuring every child has a fun, safe and inspiring experience.

Get in Touch

To book a place or discuss a visit, please complete this form