Last updated: 15 May 2020

Advice, resources and announcements for schools, students and parents during COVID-19 pandemic

Educators across the UK are now dealing with new challenges as schools and universities close for an indefinite period. One of the priorities of the Society is to support Biology education through primary, secondary, further and higher education.

We will regularly update this page with useful resources and advice for students and parents, along with announcements from the educating sector. 

Advice for students and parents during COVID-19 pandemic

Education announcements during COVID-19 pandemic

During this uncertain time we will:

• Summarise education announcements from UK governments and awarding bodies
• Work with our policy partners in science organisations, government and awarding bodies to seek the best advice and advocate the best outcomes for teachers and students
• Collate and share advice for students and parents looking towards next academic year
• Highlight useful resources for teachers and students through our monthly BioEd newsletter for those teaching 5 – 19 biology
• Disseminate resources from our networks (special interest groups, committees and member organisations) that may be useful for students, parents or teachers facilitating remote learning.
• Make existing RSB resources freely available for students and parents, to ensure students remain engaged with biology. 

Latest education news from the RSB

The Biologist

To assist during the pandemic, schools and colleges can access our digital archive for free until 1st October 2020.

Teachers can sign up and request access online via our publishers, and also access other magazines including Chemistry World, BBC History Magazine, BBC Science Magazine and The World Today.

Gopher Science Lab

Our Gopher science lab project was designed so that primary and secondary students, could deliver science activities to primary pupils.

The activities in resource booklet one can be carried out with everyday household objects, with the booklet providing instructions, a short explanation and questions that you may wish to ask a primary age student. Our Gopher Science online training is now free for parents to access for six months, and we have produced a parent explainer describing how the booklet and training can be used.

The Gopher Science Lab activity booklet is also available in Welsh (part 1 and part 2)

Intermediate Biology Olympiad 2020

Teachers can register their students aged 16-17 for the Intermediate Biology Olympiad 2020. Students will need to be invigilated when taking the paper, either virtually by a teacher or at home by a parent/guardian.

Other RSB online resources

Check out our student information webpage about careers and school competitions.

All our existing primary, secondary and careers resources for teachers can also be accessed via our web page for teachers.

Our Outreach and Engagement team pages contain a variety of free activity resources for suggested age ranges

Online resources from other organisations

• Association for Science Education – The ASE coronavirus hub
• BBC - Daily BBC Bitesize lessons
• British Society for Immunology - new selection of public engagement practical activities and educational resources
• Institute of Physics – Supporting schools and colleges during COVID-19
• National Physical Laboratory - Measurement at home weekly challenges
• Royal Society of Chemistry – Remote teaching support
• Society for Experimental Biology - Collection of bioscience educational resources