Bees4Schools – Terms & Conditions
1. The Grant
The Bees4Schools initiative is a grant programme offered by The British Bee Charity (hereinafter referred to as the “Charity”). Grants are subject to a successful application and approval by the Charity.
2. Eligibility
Applications are open exclusively to schools and educational institutions located within the United Kingdom (hereinafter referred to as the “Applicant”).
3. Grant Contents
Subject to a successful application, the grant may include, but is not limited to, the following items:
One complete National Bee Hive, comprising a brood box, two supers, open-mesh floor, queen excluder, crown board and deep roof.
One National Bee Hive Stand with Landing Board.
One colony of honeybees.
Frames and foundation.
Ten children’s bee suits.
Two adult bee suits.
Three hive tools.
One bee smoker.
One year’s membership of The British Bee Charity.
The Charity reserves the right to substitute, vary or reduce any of the items listed above, at its sole discretion. This may include bee suits which have been lightly used and are in good condition.
4. Return of Grant Items
The Applicant irrevocably agrees that, should any items provided under the grant, including the colony of honeybees, no longer be required or used by the Applicant, those items will first be offered back to the Charity free of charge, the Applicant is responsible for postage and packing.
The Applicant must contact the Charity to discuss the return of any such items and agree suitable arrangements before transferring or disposing of them.
5. Responsibility for Bees and Equipment
Following the award of the grant, the Applicant assumes full responsibility for the care, management and welfare of the honeybees, together with the safe keeping, maintenance and appropriate use of all equipment supplied by the Charity.
The Applicant is responsible for ensuring that the bees are kept in suitable conditions and managed in accordance with applicable legislation, recognised beekeeping practices and relevant animal welfare requirements.
6. Charity Membership and Insurance
The Applicant agrees to maintain Full Membership of The British Bee Charity for as long as they retain any bees or equipment supplied under the Bees4Schools grant.
The first year of Full Membership is included in the grant at no additional cost. Thereafter, membership must be renewed annually at the Charity’s prevailing renewal rate, currently £30 per annum. The Charity reserves the right to amend its membership fees from time to time, and subsequent renewals will be charged at the rate applicable at the time of renewal.
Maintaining Full Membership is particularly important, as it includes valuable insurance benefits for the school and its beekeeping activities. These include bee disease insurance, subject to the applicable policy terms and conditions, and third-party product and public liability insurance, subject to the relevant policy terms, conditions and exclusions.
Bee disease insurance provides cover for specified bee diseases in accordance with the insurance policy, while public liability insurance can provide protection against certain claims arising from accidental injury or damage to third parties. Product liability cover applies where relevant under the policy.
The Applicant should familiarise themselves with the insurance cover provided, including its limits, exclusions and conditions, and ensure that it is appropriate for the school’s particular activities. Membership and insurance cover must remain valid throughout the period in which the school retains the grant’s bees and equipment.
Failure to renew Full Membership may result in the loss of these insurance benefits and may affect the school’s ability to continue participating in the Bees4Schools initiative. The Applicant should contact the Charity if they require clarification regarding membership or the insurance cover available.
7. Progress Reports
The Applicant agrees to provide the Charity with two progress reports each year, one in spring and one in autumn.
These reports should outline the school’s progress with the initiative and may include information on:
The benefits and educational opportunities experienced by pupils.
Highlights and achievements throughout the year.
The development of the school’s beekeeping activities.
Any challenges or issues encountered.
Lessons learned and future plans for the project.
The Charity may use information provided in these reports to monitor the success of the Bees4Schools initiative and demonstrate its educational and environmental benefits.
8. Qualified Beekeeper Supervision
The Applicant agrees to ensure that a suitably responsible, qualified or experienced beekeeper is present whenever the hive is inspected, managed, maintained or otherwise attended to.
The Applicant must ensure that appropriate supervision, safety procedures and protective equipment are in place, taking into account the age and experience of participating pupils and the nature of the activity.
9. Application Process and Notification
All applications will processed in October/November of the year you apply. Applicants will be notified by email of the outcome of their application by the end of the year.
The submission of an application does not guarantee that a grant will be awarded. All grants are subject to the Charity’s assessment and approval.
10. Seasonal Considerations
Applicants should be aware that beekeeping activities, including the supply, introduction, removal and relocation of honeybee colonies, are subject to seasonal and weather conditions.
Consequently, the timing of successful applications and the delivery or installation of bees and equipment may depend on the time of year and what is appropriate for the welfare of the bees.
The Charity reserves the right to determine an appropriate timeframe for the provision of the grant, taking these factors into account.