Lord Wandsworth College in Long Sutton welcomed 35,000 honeybees on Monday.

Catering manager Iain Hedley, the project leader, was inspired by Farnham charity Hive Helpers.

Iain said: “I saw Hive Helpers at a sustainability fair and went on one of their courses.

“It was a breathtaking moment, being in among the bees. There were five hives, with upwards of 200,000 bees, but they weren’t flying around us. They were all going about their business, solely focused on getting the job done.

“I think if I had been there and not come away inspired to kick on and do something, then I’d have missed the point altogether.”

A secluded hazel copse within the school’s 1,200-acre campus was cleared for the colony. Selected for shelter and proximity to food stores, it is hoped the copse could see the number of bees double by the end of next summer.

They will pollinate surrounding farmland, boost the ecosystem and offer opportunities.

Mr Hedley said: “There’s huge potential for student engagement. Some can use beekeeping as a Duke of Edinburgh Award skill.

“It’s also great for well-being. Beekeepers do a lot with veterans because it’s such a rewarding activity from a mindfulness perspective.”

Headmaster Adam Williams added: “Bees are a crucial part of our ecosystem and we welcome all 35,000 of them to their new home.

“At Lord Wandsworth College we are immersed in our landscape and we constantly strive to enhance, diversify, nurture and cherish it.

“With a staggering 97 per cent of UK wildflower meadows lost since the 1930s, this represents a massive reduction of an important food source.

“We have taken a stand. These invaluable meadows have been re-sown, re-distributed and are ready.”

Hive Helpers founder Erica Evans said: “I’m really heartened that Lord Wandsworth College wants to pursue sustainable, fair and low-intervention beekeeping.”