## **United Kingdom Biology Competitions**
Registered charity № 1191037
_Also known as UKBC_
## Annual report
1[st] September 2024 - 31[st] August 2025
## Structure & governance
## **Item**
## **Details**
Governing document Constitution adopted 25 August 2020
Legal structure Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Trustee appointments
Appointed by resolution of the existing trustees in accordance with the Constitution
## Objectives & activities
## **Objects**
The objects of the CIO are to advance education for the public benefit of young people in the subject of Biology by:
1. Promoting the study of biology and encouraging and enhancing biology education, particularly in schools
2. Encouraging excellence in biology by organising annual biology competitions for school students
3. Selecting, training and organising teams of biology students and leaders to represent the UK at the International Biology Olympiad and at such other international Biology competitions as may be considered appropriate
4. Maintaining membership of International Biology Olympiad e.V. and to contribute to and participate in the affairs of that organisation
5. Providing residential training for post-16 school students.
**2**
## **Activities**
Trustees reviewed the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit both upon appointment and again at each annual general meeting. All activities were planned in line with guidance, UKBC’s charitable objects and the business plan submitted to the Charity Commission upon incorporation.
Academic Olympiads are increasingly prominent as the most rigorous and reputable academic competitions. United Kingdom Biology Competitions (UKBC) runs the British Biology Olympiad (BBO), and takes responsibility for the UK’s presence at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO). The IBO is one of the big four academic Olympiads with >70 participating countries. For younger children, UKBC runs Biology Challenge (BC) and the Intermediate Biology Olympiad (iBO).
The BBO, iBO and BC are three rigorous online competitions which schools arrange for their students to participate in. Students took part within their school under examination conditions. Students were allocated awards based on their performance, and e-certificates were generated by the online exam system for schools to download and present to their students.
UKBC organised training and assessment of practical biology skills for the top performers of the BBO and team selection paper in collaboration with the University of Warwick. Practical training and assessment was carried out by several academic staff, plus support staff, from the School of Life Science. This was to select a team of four students to participate in the IBO.
The IBO team undertook further practical training of one day each at Reading School and Latymer Upper School immediately prior to the IBO. UKBC organised for the team to attend the IBO in Quezon City in the Philippines. UKBC organised for a jury of five volunteers to accompany the team throughout IBO and act on behalf of the UK throughout the IBO.
UKBC consists solely of volunteers. The most active members are the trustees. The competitions were written and assessed entirely by volunteers. There are approximately half-a-dozen volunteers who help write the competitions, or assist with team selection, training or at the IBO.
An independent contractor administers the competitions during the year for a fee. Outsourced administration tasks included managing school registration, organising travel and accommodation, processing payments, advertising, and providing general administration support to UKBC (e.g. arranging the annual general meeting).
UKBC provided a mirror of its examination website to the British Physics Olympiad (BPhO, charity number 1146064) for a small fee, which remained outstanding at the year end. UKBC holds the UK’s
**3**
membership of IBO e.V, the governing body of the IBO registered in Germany. National members, such as UKBC, have joint sovereignty over IBO e.V.
## Achievements & performance
## **Participation**
The number of individual students and schools participating in each competition are shown in the tables below. These tables do not include students or schools participating via ASEEDER. Underlined figures indicate competitions which were disrupted by the pandemic.
**4**
## Year ( **number of students participating** )
|2017
2018
2019
BC
40000
48449
47336
iBO
5667
6580
8282
BBO
7500
7818
9465
Total
53167
62847
65083|2020
23695
8757
9520
41972|2021
26793
8873
8462
44128|2022
2023
2024
2025
41360
43641
47350
42021
12701
14961
15083
17327
10897
13659
15191
18566
64958
72261
77624
77914|
|---|---|---|---|
## Year ( **number of schools** )
||2017|2018|2019|2020||2021||2022|2023|2024|2025|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|BC|561|583|576|367||346||547|621|704|769|
|iBO|380|408|465|559||449||614|709|729|877|
|BBO|675|636|726|669||619||707|883|902|1110|
|Total
unique|NA|NA|NA|NA||880||1102|1353|1434|1650|
Total participation reached a record 77,914 student entries. The number of unique schools also reached a record 1,650. Growth was driven primarily by the Intermediate Biology Olympiad and British Biology Olympiad, offsetting a reduction in Biology Challenge entries following changes to the fee structure.
The fee structure was reduced compared with the previous year. The BBO remained free to all UK schools, while BC and the iBO also became free to UK schools, having previously charged a £30 flat fee for unlimited entries. A £30 flat-fee for unlimited places was charged to all international schools participating in the BBO, iBO and BC.
Overall, 22.1% of participating schools (365 of 1,650 unique schools) and 13.0% of student entries
**5**
were from overseas schools. Trustees will examine ways to grow overseas participation and continue to review the fees charged for this.
UKBC collects information on the gender of participating students for monitoring and outreach purposes. The gender balance closely mirrors national participation in biology, with Biology Challenge showing an almost equal split between male and female entrants, while the Intermediate Biology Olympiad and British Biology Olympiad reflect the higher proportion of female students studying biology at A Level.
## **Academic rigour**
Grade distributions for each competition had desirable characteristics. Paper 1 of Biology Challenge is designed to be a straightforward test of school biology, with Paper 2 having an emphasis on problem-solving. Distributions for iBO and BBO were similar overall, with the second BBO paper proving slightly more demanding. The approximately normal score distributions indicate that the papers successfully discriminate across the full range of student ability while avoiding ceiling or floor effects.
**6**
_Biology Challenge (papers 1 & 2)_
_Intermediate Biology Olympiad_
_British Biology Olympiad (papers 1 & 2)_
The UK team won three silver and one bronze medal at the IBO in Manila. The assessments run by the University of Warwick for the winners of the BBO were outstanding and the addition of an extra
**7**
day to prepare the students before working in the laboratories was very effective. Similarly, the practical training at Reading School and Latymer Upper School was extremely useful for the team.
Twenty Year 12 students at schools in the UK who won gold awards in the iBO were offered a fully funded five-day field course at the Field Studies Council’s Preston Montford Centre in October 2024. A UKBC volunteer and a teacher from one of the participating schools stayed with the students and provided pastoral support. Four received free school meals and would be the first in their family to go to university. Four others would also be the first in their family to go to university. Only one had been on a residential field course before. Feedback from the students included:
“The Intermediate British Biology Olympiad Field Trip was very enjoyable and insightful and something I would recommend to continue to run in the future. My school had never done any form of sampling however it was taught in the centre in a way that was easy to grasp and at no point did I feel disadvantaged as opposed to those from schools that had tried sampling techniques before.”
“The trip had a great balance between work and social time meaning that you could really bond with the group and I have left feeling like I made some great friends. Overall I had an amazing time and it is a trip I will remember forever and would strongly encourage others to participate in.”
“The trip was a wonderful experience. It allowed me to develop my skills in fieldwork, investigation and teamwork. I greatly enjoyed seeing the beautiful scenery and various wildlife around the site as well as meeting and getting to know the people who I would spend the week with. I would strongly recommend this trip to other students in the future for the chance to meet new people, immerse themselves in nature and to develop their skills and interest in the field of biology.”
## **Website**
During 2024/25 trustees planned a substantial redevelopment of the online examination and registration system. Following a review of potential suppliers, UKBC appointed one to provide longterm website development and support. Development work commenced immediately after the financial year and will add new functionality to improve the experience for schools, students and volunteers.
## **ASEEDER**
UKBC provided the BC, iBO and BBO competitions to ASEEDER for use by participating schools in a number of countries. ASEEDER translates the papers where required and arranges local supervision.
**8**
## **Volunteers**
New volunteers in 2024/25 were recruited through existing contacts, former team members and their teachers. UKBC continued to expand its volunteer base by recruiting former competitors, teachers and other supporters. This helps ensure continuity of expertise and provides a sustainable long-term succession plan.
## Policies
## **Data protection and safeguarding**
Trustees reviewed and updated UKBC’s privacy (data protection) and safeguarding policies.
## Financial review
Summary accounts are provided in a separate document.
## **Reserves policy**
The trustees set a target reserve level of 1.5 years expenditure (approximately £100,000). The reserves grew to £243,776, from £213,475 at the start of the year. This was due to large savings on a new administration contract and steadily growing participation, outweighing both increased expenditure on charitable activities and the reduction in income resulting from making all competitions free to UK schools.
At the end of the accounting period, trustees carefully reviewed the reserves policy and strategies to reduce them to the target level. UKBC intends to continue to markedly increase expenditure on charitable activities, including by expanding team selection and offering more FSC trips. UKBC also intends to invest in advertising and growing its volunteer base. UKBC continues to explore the appetite for a new international competition with overseas partners, for which our reserves would provide the necessary start-up funding.
Planned investment includes redevelopment of the examination platform, expansion of international activities, additional residential training opportunities and increased volunteer recruitment.
## **Major expenditure**
The largest single part of UKBC expenditure this year was participation in the IBO, approximately £23,000. The volunteers accompanying the team to the IBO provide pastoral support during travel and for the week of the event. They also spend considerable periods of time, often well into the night, representing the UK on the International Jury scrutinising the papers, printing the UK team papers and checking they have been marked correctly. In order to maintain continuity
**9**
of experience and bring in new volunteers we usually aim to have four volunteers. The IBO was online in 2020 and 2021, followed by years when we had two, four and three volunteers in attendance. We therefore approved the increase to five for 2025, rather than turn down one of the new volunteers keen to support the event. Flights to Manila and nights in a hotel prior to the IBO to adjust to the time difference were a major part of the expenditure. Trustees anticipate that travel costs will reduce substantially over the next four years because the IBO will be hosted in Europe.
**10**
## **Expenses paid to trustees**
The figures below represent reimbursement of expenses incurred by trustees on behalf of the charity, including costs that trustees initially paid personally on behalf of UKBC.
|**Trustee**|**Sub-total**|**Total**|**Description**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**Andrew Treharne**|£111.70||Website domain & email services|
||£356.22||AGM expenses including hotel|
||£30.00||DBS checks for volunteers|
||£623.57||Team selection in Warwick including student travel|
||£103.50||Field course expenses|
||£5,888.60||IBO flights, accommodation & expenses|
||£213.74||IBO expenses|
||£64.86||IBO team clothing|
||£263.99|**£7,656.18**|UK membership fee for IBO|
|**Joshua Hodgson**|£84.73||AGM expenses|
||£62.70|**£147.43**|AGM expenses|
|**Katherine Lister**|£51.99|**£51.99**|AGM expenses|
|**Kevin Moffat**|£52.49||Meeting expenses|
||£25.28|**£77.77**|Advertising & publicity|
|**Kim Ngan Lou Hoang**|£6.90|**£6.90**|AGM expenses|
|**Matthew Johnston**|£853.38||Website hosting|
||£590.32|**£1,443.70**|AGM expenses including meals for volunteers|
|**Neil Richards**|£73.45|**£73.45**|Team selection in Warwick expenses|
|**Robert Starley**|£48.50||AGM expenses|
||£326.90||IBO expenses|
||£31.30|**£406.70**|Meeting expenses|
|**Grand total**||**£9,863.12**||
**11**
## Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above at a vote held on the
30[th] June 2026
Dr Adam Wright Dr Robert Starley Mr Neil Richards Dr Andrew Treharne MBE _Chair, Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee_
**12**
## **Annual accounts**
1st September 2024 - 31st August 2025
|**Income**|||
|---|---|---|
|**Item**|**2025**|**2024**|
|Competition participation fees (gross)|£17,160.00|£14,250.00|
|Selling papers to other charities|£84,588.00|£67,850.00|
|Selling examination system to other charities|-|£1,000.00|
|Interest|£3,989.46|£1,390.00|
|Misc. inc. collection of arrears & mistakenpayments|£636.00|£795.00|
|**Total receipts**|**£106,373.46**|**£85,285.00**|
|**Expenditure**|||
|**Item**|**2025**|**2024**|
|Administration|-|£14,196.00|
|Participation in the IBO|(£22,842.97)|£12,372.00|
|University residential course|(£11,592.34)|£9,535.00|
|Ecology site courses|(£6,636.40)|£2,659.00|
|Certificates / medals|-|£6,336.00|
|Advertising|(£699.34)|£3,167.00|
|Awards ceremony / dinner|-|£1,112.00|
|Committee / volunteer expenses|(£4,370.33)|£1,306.00|
|Insurance|(£737.54)|-|
|Carbon offsetting|(£1,000.00)|-|
|Professional fees|(£400.00)|£400.00|
|Website maintenance|(£2,423.27)|£1,962.00|
|Payment processing fees|(£549.82)|£460.00|
|Account fees|(£60.00)|£78.00|
|Return of mistakenpayments|(£570.00)|£131.00|
|**Sub total payments**|**(£51,882.01)**|**£53,714.00**|
|**Asset purchases**|||
|**Item**|**2025**|**2024**|
|Pipettes|-|£1,272.00|
|Thermocyclers|(£14,160.91)|-|
|Prepared slides|(£231.63)||
|Encrypted hard drive|(£73.99)|-|
|**Total asset purchases**|**(£14,466.53)**|**£1,272.00**|
|**Summary**|||
|**Item**|**2025**|**2024**|
|**Total payments**|**(£66,348.54)**|**£54,985.00**|
|**Net receipts less payments**|**£40,024.92**|**£30,301.00**|
|**Assets at year end**|||
|**Item**|**2025**|**2024**|
|Cash at end last year|£243,775.65|£213,475.00|
|Cash at end this year|£283,800.57|£243,776.00|
|Outstandinginvoices|-|-|
|**Total assets**|**£283,800.57**|**£243,776.00**|
|**Deferred Income & Liabilities at year end**|||
|**Item**|**2025**|**2024**|
|Deferred income (2020–21)|£270.00|£270.00|
|Deferred income (2021–22)|£2,118.00|£2,118.00|
|Deferred income (2022–23)|£3,120.00|£3,120.00|
|Deferred income (2023–24)|£454.00|£454.00|
|Mistaken payment received in error|£66.00|-|
|Outstandinginvoices|-|-|
|**Total liabilities**|**£6,028.00**|**£5,962.00**|
## **Notes**
Competition participation fees are shown gross of payment processing charges. In 2024/25 all participation fee income arose from overseas schools.
Course contributions and refunds have been netted against the related expenditure categories, including FSC courses, meetings and the ASE conference. Carbon offsetting expenditure relates to UKBC's sustainability policy and support for Woodland Trust projects.
Asset purchases comprise thermocyclers and prepared slides for practical biology training and assessment activities and an encrypted hard drive for secure data storage.
A payment of £66 was received in error shortly before the year end. As the payment did not relate to UKBC activities and was known to be repayable, it has been treated as a liability at 31 August 2025. The amount was refunded after the year end.
**13**
## Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the accounts above at a vote held on the
30[th] June 2026
Dr Adam Wright Dr Robert Starley Mr Neil Richards Dr Andrew Treharne MBE _Chair, Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee_
CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES
Independent examinerfs
report on the accounts
Section A
Indepcndeiit Examiner s Report
Report to thè trusteesl
mgmberJ of
Unitea Kingdom Bio108y c.ompetitions
On accounts for tho year
8nded
3 I11112025
Charlty no
{if any)
1191037
Set out on pages
l2 of ihe ADnual Accounts and T AR
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the
above ¢harity {Ihe Trust") for the year endèd 31108 12025.
R8sponslbllltles and As the charity trustees of the Tru*. you a¢ responsible for the preparation
basil ol report of tho accounts in accordance wrth the requirgment5 of the Charitie5 Act
2011 1.the Act")
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out
under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examinalion, I
have followed the applicable Directions glven by the Charity CommissSon
under se¢tion 145(5)(bl of th8 Act.
I have completed my examinalion. I confim that no material matters have
come to my attention
) in connection wlth
the examination which glves me cause lo believe that in, any materlal
respect..
accounllrwJ reMrds were not kept in accordance with section 130 of
Act or
Ihe a¢¢ount$ do not accord with th& accounting records
Ind8pand•nt
examiner's Stat•m•nt
I have no con¢erns and have come acios5 no other matters in conneclion
with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in order to enable
proper understanding ofthe a¢c¢xJnts to be reached.
. Pjease delele the words In the brackets rftt>ey not apply.
Slgned:
DJto:
IJF lJoab
Name:
1£ OAJi£ S
Relevant professlonal
quallfl¢atlonls) of body
(If any):
Address:
lti KfiJO
LH i trh414 £ T AryW£S
Fq
J6G
IER
October 2018
Section B
Disclosure
Only complete hs the examiw needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32,
Independent examinats.on of Charity accounts: direct*?ns and guidan for
èxaminers).
Givè here brlef detalls of
any Items Ihatthe
examiner wlshe8 to
dlsclose.
IER
October 2018