Exceptional results in the British Biology Olympiad 2023

The British Biology Olympiad (BBO) challenges students with an interest in biology to expand and extend their talents. 13 A-Level Biology students sat two online papers which enabled them to demonstrate their talent and to be suitably rewarded with publicly recognised certificates.

Both papers were fiendishly difficult, testing core Biology knowledge and problem-solving skills. They contained questions set in novel contexts that the students were unlikely to be familiar with and stretching them above and beyond the confines of the A Level specification.

Huge congratulations to Florence (best in school) in Year 13, and Hannah in Year 12, who were awarded Gold Awards, among only 5% of entrants. Particular congratulations to Hannah who is not even one year into the A level Biology course yet, and was answering questions way in advance of what she has been taught.

Silver awards were achieved by Zara (Year 13), Grace (Year 13) and Sean (Year 12), and Bronze awards to Sienna (Year 13), Phoebe (Year 13), Manaka (Year 13) and Jamie (Year 12).

“I am delighted that so many students took on this challenge and achieved such excellent results” says Mr Allchorne, Head of Biology. “We are lucky to have some very talented, self-motivated and genuinely interested Sixth Form Biologists who relish a challenge like this.”

In addition to encouraging and rewarding pupils in their studies, the BBO is the first stage in selecting a team to represent the UK at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO).