SHIPLEY COLLEGE BUZZING AFTER WINNING AWARD
Shipley College is celebrating after achieving the Silver Bumblebee Friendly Schools Award, recognising the college's growing commitment to sustainability, biodiversity and protecting vital pollinators.
The national accreditation, presented by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, follows a year of environmental initiatives across the college and builds on last year's Bronze Award.
The award recognises the collective efforts of students and staff to create bee-friendly habitats, improve biodiversity across the campus and raise awareness of the importance of pollinators.
One of the highlights of the year was the college's World Bee Day celebrations, which saw departments from across the college come together in a fun, cross-college campaign. Activities included the Reception team handing out wildflower seed packs and handmade felt bees, a charity bun sale with homemade cakes, a student engagement stall, planting pollinator-friendly flowers around the campus and a variety of classroom activities. Staff and students also embraced the occasion by wearing colourful bee headbands throughout the day.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust praised the college's application, commenting on the enthusiasm of students and staff and the impressive improvements made to the college's outdoor spaces since achieving its Bronze Award.
The Silver Award is valid until July 2028, with Shipley College now setting its sights on achieving the prestigious Gold Award.
Natasha Wilkinson, Sustainability and Facilities Coordinator at Shipley College, said:
"This award is a fantastic achievement for everyone at the college. It reflects the enthusiasm, creativity and commitment shown by staff and students throughout the year to make our campus a better place for wildlife.
"Our World Bee Day celebrations demonstrated just how much can be achieved when the whole college works together. From planting pollinator-friendly flowers to classroom activities and fundraising, everyone played their part, and it was wonderful to see so many people getting involved.
"We're incredibly proud to have achieved the Silver Award and are already looking ahead to working towards Gold next year. We'd love even more staff and students to join us on that journey."
Emily Lane from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust said:
"It was a joy to look through your application and see how engaged your students are, and how you have built on the fantastic work completed last year. Your outdoor space is looking wonderful. Congratulations on achieving your Silver award, and thank you for inspiring both pupils and staff to help protect our precious bumblebees."
The award forms part of Shipley College's wider sustainability programme, which encourages students to develop environmental awareness while making a positive impact on the local ecosystem. By continuing to expand bee-friendly habitats and involve more students in conservation projects, the college hopes to achieve Gold Award status next year.