A Telford College A level student has won a silver medal in this year’s British Biology Olympiad – a national competition which tests the knowledge and skills of high-achieving young people.

Sophie Vaughan, from Dothill, is the first student from the college to win a silver medal in the competition, placing her among the top 10% of biology students in the country.

The Olympiad encourages deeper biological understanding, celebrates high‑achieving students, and offers opportunities such as BioNet membership with the Royal Society of Biology.

It has grown into one of the country’s largest science competitions, involving thousands of young people each year.

“I really enjoyed the challenge of the British Biology Olympiad,” said 18-year-old Sophie, a former Charlton School student.

“It tested my understanding and problem-solving skills in new ways, so achieving a silver award and placing in the top 10% of participants was very rewarding.

“I am hoping to study biology at Cardiff next year, so this has been an exciting way to push myself before university.”

Telford College biology tutor Beth Gibson said: “We’re incredibly proud of Sophie’s achievements in this competition, which attracts hundreds of students from independent schools, grammar schools and colleges.

“She had to complete two online exams under exam conditions – all taking place during our mock exam week, making the success even more creditable.”

Sophie’s success has inspired the students in year one to take part in the intermediate challenge this summer, followed by the full Olympiad next year – and she is providing them with advice from her own experiences.

Beth added: “Students will be presented with topics and ideas which they are not familiar with, which meant they have to demonstrate their problem-solving skills and understanding of core principles.

“The British Biology Olympiad is also the first stage in selecting a team to represent the UK at the International Biology Olympiad, where more than 60 countries take part.”