UCLan and biological society put sixth formers to the test

A-Level biology pupils Ben Martin, Jack Barstow, Ellie Shercliff and Matthew Brown from Falibroome High School in Macclesfield were the overall winners and were awarded with a new microscope for their school and a book each.

Jack Barstow said: “We really didn’t expect to win and just came along and did the best we could on each task.  It’s been an illuminating day and we’ve all enjoyed it.”

Teacher Sue Baker-Brian said: “We’re really pleased to have won and I’m really proud of the team.  Today was all about the students working together and thinking outside the box about biological issues.”

Second place went to Lancaster Girls Grammar, Urmston Grammar was awarded third place and Queen Elizabeth Grammar School came in fourth place.  The event was run by UCLan and the Society of Biology to get sixth form students thinking about biology in higher education.  Schools and Colleges from Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria all took part in the day’s activities.

Ian Fleetwood, the Secretary of the North West branch of the Society of Biology, commented: “The questions reflect the current A-Level syllabus and allowed the teams to demonstrate knowledge and reasoning in the fun and friendly atmosphere of a university setting. UCLan is central to the North Western branch area and has good links with the Society of Biology with this being the highlight event of the year for the branch.

“It is always well and enthusiastically attended with many teams returning year after year. For many students it is their first time on a university campus and several of the students have returned to UCLan for their higher education studies as we try and make it a very positive and enjoyable experience.”

Leroy Shervington from the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at UCLan commented: “As part of our Mission Statement, we strive to work in partnership with business, the community and other educators.

“It was a delight to see enthusiastic, well focussed and organised school teams coming together from various areas of the North West competing in a friendly and constructive manner.”