Oundle pupil through to selection for British Biology Olympiad Team

Published on isbi School News dated Thursday 13th of February 2014

Twelve Oundle pupils received medals and certificates in the recent British Biology Olympiad with Chris Gilmartin (17) receiving a Gold medal and an invitation to take part in the selection round for the British Biology Olympiad Team. Chris finished in the top 3.2% of 5057 entrants in this year's competition.

In addition to Chris's Gold medal, Daniel Bateson (18) and Viren Pandya (17) achieved Silver medals with Zuleikha Mistry (18) and Kirsty Ross-Stewart (17) receiving Bronze Medals. Three Oundle pupils were awarded Highly Commended Certificates and a further four were commended on their results.

Biology teacher, Sudip Burman-Roy commented, 'The British Biology Olympiad challenges and stimulates students with an interest in Biology to expand and extend their talents. In offering a wider syllabus than A-level, it allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and to be suitably rewarded and publicly recognised by the award of medals, certificates and other prizes. It is hoped that competing in the Olympiad will encourage pupils at Oundle already interested in this valuable, wide-ranging and rewarding subject to continue their study beyond A-level.'

In addition to encouraging and rewarding pupils in their studies, the BBO provides a means of selecting a team to represent the UK at the International Biology Olympiad. The IBO seeks to challenge by both theory and practical tests some of the top pre-university biology students in the world, with 60 countries taking part.