A-Level students from Middlesbrough College Sixth Form are celebrating success in the British Biology Olympiad.
The competition is open to post-16 school or college students from around the world.
9465 students from 727 schools and colleges worldwide took part in this year’s challenge, which is run by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) online.
Students complete two tough examinations designed to stretch and challenge their learning. Only the highest scoring students are awarded medals.
Seven Middlesbrough College students received medals in the competition. Nicole Olagesin, Pip Haworth and Miles Shearer all received the Bronze Medal. Kayla McBride, Robyn McKellar and Nathan Evans were all awarded the Silver Medal and Jordan Brandrick bagged the Gold Medal.
Nicole Olagesin's medal success is particularly remarkable as she is a firs year A Level Biology student. Nicole said “The competition was fun and I tried to revise each day. I especially love the problem-solving aspects of the challenge.
“I didn’t even think I would get as far as I did and I am delighted to come away with a medal! Next year I will be going for the gold!”
Nathan, a second year A Level Biology student was delighted to have won a silver medal. Nathan said “I love learning and I find science so fascinating. This competition is extremely challenging as we are tested on topics beyond the A Level specification, but this is a good challenge! I am hoping to go on to study Biology at my first choice university, Northumbria.”
The seven successful students are taught by multi-award winning teacher Dr Richard Spencer MBE, Head of Science at Middlesbrough College Sixth Form. Dr Spencer attended the ceremony last year as the national winner of the RSB’s School Biology Teacher of the Year.
Dr Spencer said “This is the fifth year we have entered students in the Biology Olympiad and we’ve proved once again that our science students are up there with the best. We’re very proud of their achievements.”
All seven medallists now have the opportunity to attend the RSB’s annual Education Awards Ceremony in London in July.