Today the Society of Biology is celebrating the achievements of students taking part in the British Biology Olympiad and Biology Challenge. Certificates will be presented in a ceremony at the Royal Society, alongside the Secondary School Biology Teacher of the Year award.

The 2014 Secondary School Biology Teacher of the Year award has gone to Catherine Russell from Altrincham Girls' Grammar School in Manchester. She said: "I am hugely honoured to have been chosen as School Biology Teacher of the Year. Teaching biology is a fantastic career; young people are fascinated with the living world and they constantly amaze me with their questions and ideas."

The three shortlisted teachers were:
Caroline Molyneux, Balshaw's CE High School, Lancashire
Dan Quinton, Caterham School, Surrey
Catherine Russell, Altrincham Girls' Grammar School, Manchester

All three were deemed to be inspirational teachers who influenced other teachers in their school and beyond. The judges were particularly impressed with Catherine's meticulously planned revision lessons where every student has a carefully considered role and misconceptions are skilfully corrected.

The awards ceremony comes on the same day as the Royal Society launches its Vision Report, stating its ambition for the next 20 years of science and mathematics education.
Rachel Lambert-Forsyth, director of education and training at the Society of Biology, welcomed the report. She says: "The report calls for learned societies, including the Society of Biology, to support and shape the science curriculum and assessment, and to provide professional recognition for teachers.

"The skill of teachers is fundamental for students' learning, and we are pleased to recognise this skill through the School Biology Teacher of the Year Award. We will also soon be supporting professional development with a professional register for science teachers, giving the post-nominals RSciTeach.

"We look forward to working with the Royal Society to improve the standard of science teaching and learning."

The Secondary School Biology Teacher of the Year award is supported by Science and Plants for Schools and Oxford University Press (OUP) in conjunction with UK 3B Scientific Ltd and the National Science Learning Centre.