Over the last few weeks, 26 of our Upper 2 and Upper 3 Biologists have taken part in the RSB Biology Challenge 2020. The challenge is a national competition, which is open to all 13-15 year olds in UK schools, and consists of pupils sitting two 25-minute online exams, either at lunchtime or after school. This year, in excess of 23,000 students have taken part.

The questions included topics which are covered in the Nat 4/5 Biology Course but were also aimed at rewarding those students whose knowledge of the subject has been increased by reading books and magazines, watching natural history programmes and taking notice of the news media for items of biological interest, and students who are generally aware of our natural flora and fauna.

Well done to all of our pupils. Though the national results are still be published, the following were our top 3 for each year group:
Top 3 scorers in U2: Ailsa Q, Anna-Maria S, and Ella C
Top 3 scorers in U3: Clara B, Ricardo B, and Tiegan R

In-house certificates are normally awarded by the Headmaster at the end of Term prize giving, but due to current circumstances, we made and sent home eCertificates instead. We asked the 1st Place students from both year groups and their families, if they would mind printing their certificates and sending in a picture, so attached are photographs of Ailsa Q (U2) and Clara B (U3) with theirs.

The Upper 2’s deserve particular congratulations, as they are yet to cover most of the course topics!

All students who have taken part in this year’s competition are eligible to a free year of BioNet membership, which provides them with electronic subscription to The Biologist magazine and e-newsletters featuring bioscience-related news and events.

Well done everyone 😊