YOUNGSTERS at a North Yorkshire village primary school are buzzing after receiving a science award.

Pupils at Tockwith CE Academy, west of York, used bees to help the school achieve a silver Primary Science Quality Mark.

The prestigious award recognised that science is a focus of the school and has a high status with children, staff and parents.

And judges were impressed with the school’s science action plan, part of which is setting up an apiary to study and look after bees.

Tockwith teacher Julie George is a Science Champion across the Ebor Academy Trust group of schools, where she shares her passion and knowledge.

She delivered a lecture on bees at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) learning centre at the University of York.

Mrs George said: “I am proud of the school’s achievement and pleased that everyone’s hard work and commitment to science has been recognised with this award.

“We know science teaching is good at our school when children have those ‘wow’ moments and are inspired to investigate and learn.

“Our bees produced 40 pounds of honey last year, which we sold at various fairs to help pay for their upkeep.”

Part of the award criteria was to ensure the school used different types of scientific enquiry in planning and in displays, together with a portfolio of evidence and critical reflections to make sure there has been an impact.

Children and staff wear protective beekeeping outfits when they are studying the bees.