Five scientists from Manchester Grammar School are celebrating after they were awarded Gold medals in the 2012 British Olympiads.

MGS students are encouraged to participate in the annual British Olympiads, designed to stimulate those with an interest in the sciences, as they offer an insight into topics beyond the A-level syllabus  This year the School performed exceptionally well with five of its students achieving Gold in the Physics and Biology Olympiads.

Jeremy Bernstein (left), 18, from Hale, was awarded a Gold medal in the British Physics Olympics. He and Daijan Chen (right) from Didsbury were encouraged to take part in the annual challenge, which recognises and celebrates the success of young physicists.

Jeremy said: Our science teachers provide us with so many fantastic extra-curricular opportunities and the Olympiad is high on my list of favourites.

The physics paper was a three-hour long, multiple-choice exam and although challenging, it was really good for my broader studies and has helped prepare me for my forthcoming A-level physics papers and my longer term career.

Jeremy has his sights set on a career in a scientific field. He is currently studying A-levels in maths, further maths, physics and chemistry and based on his academic achievements to date has already attracted university offers from Cambridge and the prestigious American institution Harvard.

18-year-old Daijan's achievements were compounded by the fact that he moved to England from Shanghai just 18 months ago, which meant he took the complex paper in his second language.

Daijan explained: Although challenging I actually quite enjoyed taking the paper in my second language. It definitely made me concentrate on formulas more and think about fully understanding basic scientific principles because I need to translate them before proceeding to solve the questions.

He has now returned his focus to his impending A-levels in maths, further maths, physics and chemistry; once these are completed he hopes to study at Cambridge or Imperial College.

David Maskill (left), from Whitefield, was thrilled to be awarded a Gold medal in the British Biology Olympics. 

Speaking of his achievements the 16-year-old said: As a student in Lower Sixth it was my first opportunity to take part in the Biology Olympiad which was a great challenge and I was determined to come away with the best result I could.

David now wants to channel his success into his A-level studies and his ambition is to study medicine at Cambridge. He added: The Olympiad is a great way of demonstrating my commitment to biology and wider science and I hope my result, coupled with other activities such as my place on the School’s Natural History Society, will contribute to my career long term.

Head of Biology, Anna Wicking, was delighted: David has shown a real passion for Biology ever since joining the school in Year 7.  Achieving a Gold award in this national competition is testament to his dedication and enthusiasm.

Johnny Lamb (right), from Warrington, was also awarded a Gold medal in the British Biology Olympics. 

Speaking of his achievements the 16-year-old said: The paper was extremely challenging so I’m both surprised and delighted to have achieved this result. Above all else, it has boosted my confidence in my science studies and reaffirmed my aim to have a career in biology.

Johnny has now returned to focusing on his maths, biology, chemistry and physics A-level studies.

Head of Biology, Anna Wicking, said: Jonny has reacted to his success in this national competition with his usual modesty and humble nature.  We are all very proud of his achievement in this competition – only the very best students manage to win a Gold award and it is testament to his dedication to his studies and hard work this year.

Last, but by no means least, was 16-year-old biology Gold winner, Rohin Aojula (not pictured).  Anna Wicking commented:  Rohin was determined to do well in this competition and is, quite rightly proud of his achievements!  He is a dedicated natural historian and biologist and as such deserved to achieve highly in this national competition.  He is aiming for a veterinary career and this is something which could really set him apart from the rest in his applications next year!

MGS High Master, Dr Christopher Ray, concluded:  As much as we applaud the mainstream academic achievements of our pupils and students, there’s something extremely rewarding about those who take time outside of the set curriculum to achieve great results. The British Olympiads are something we encourage at MGS and I’m always delighted to see our boys perform so well in them.