Sixth-Form golds in Biology competition

Eight Sixth-Formers won gold medals in the British Biology Olympiad. Seven of them were then selected to compete in the second round – placing them in the top 3.2% of the 5,000 students taking part in the competition from across the UK 

Year 13 pupil Ankeet Tanna recorded the highest score of the 24 QE boys taking part in the  multiple-choice round first round. Fellow Year 13 boys Madhi Elango, Neil Lenus, Jack Page and Nimalesh Yogarajah were awarded gold medals, along with Year 12 pupils Andrew Hui, Rubin Khojasteh and Robert Swan.

A further four QE boys achieved silver, eight gained bronze and three were highly commended. “The boys have been training for this competition for two years,” said Gillian Ridge, Head of Biology. “Their achievements reflect the hard work they have put in, attending weekly preparation sessions, and they are to be commended on their efforts.”

As part of the training, boys produced presentations, discussion topics and tests to build up the knowledge and skills required for the Olympiad. “All the members of the team have contributed to the achievements of the group as a whole and used the opportunity to widen their interest in Biology,” added Dr Ridge.

The competition, run by the Society of Biology, aims to “challenge and stimulate Britain’s most talented students to expand and extend their talents”.

All the medal winners have been invited to an awards ceremony at the Royal Society, where Professor Alice Roberts will be the guest speaker. She is Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham and has presented a number of BBC2 programmes including Coast and Origins of Us.