The winner of the Royal Society of Biology’s School Biology Teacher of the Year Award 2024 is Dr Ali Bune, Subject Leader for Biology and whole school Literacy Coordinator, Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School, Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

The Award recognises the UK’s leading secondary school biology teachers who are at the forefront of paving the way in teaching excellence, acknowledging their vital role in educating and inspiring the next generation of biologists.

It is Dr Bune’s mission to ensure biology has the highest profile across her school. Addressing her students as ‘biologists’, she has high expectations of them while cultivating an inviting classroom atmosphere where people feel comfortable to speak out. She organises an annual science fair and a number of themed weeks, including Health Week, British Science Week, and Biology Week, run by the RSB. In the latter she organises events which target all members of the school community, including parents, and her ‘crafty creatures’ club was designed for young carers who couldn’t stay behind after school. She collaborates across faculties (e.g. with English on poetry, on ‘brain day’ with psychology), and even team teaches with PE and History. She is the literacy coordinator in her school, creating a biology focused spelling bee which maintains biology’s high profile.

Dr Bune enables students to understand societal and environmental issues through science, giving students agency to make lifestyle choices through knowledge and understanding within lessons, through her Head of House role, assemblies, and ‘green club’. She is passionate about extra- and super-curricular opportunities which are designed to broaden and enhance students’ aspirations beyond school. She builds links with industry and academia, runs science summer schools for local primary schools, and organises field trips and museum trips across the key stages.

On receiving the news, Dr Bune said: “I feel honoured to have been selected for this prestigious title, especially considering the other amazing biology teachers who were also finalists. I absolutely love my job and I fully believe that good teachers can change young people’s lives for the better. I have really enjoyed seeing pupils in my lessons being inspired by how wonderful biology is. It has been so rewarding to support pupils who wish to embark on biology related careers, and to hear about how they are getting on. I would like to thank my colleague who nominated me and Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School for their ongoing support and commitment to excellence in the teaching of biology.”

Professor Mark Winterbottom CBiol FRSB, Professor of Education at the University of Cambridge and Chair of the Award’s judging panel, said: “Dr Ali Bune is a teacher of rare ability whose teaching is underpinned by academic rigour. Her commitment to innovative practical work to support students’ learning is notable. Her ability to make learning interesting derives from her infectious enthusiasm, with students saying she makes them want to learn and actively works with them.

Her support for colleagues’ professional development builds on her creating a strong team feel, being supportive of new ideas, and fostering a collaborative and innovative environment. As a mentor for pre-service teachers, early career teachers, and as a head of subject, she ensures her colleagues grow in expertise and confidence, and shares best practice at every opportunity within and beyond the science department.”

Dr Bune also holds a number of senior roles with OCR and Cambridge International examination boards and she is the biology lead for the local Science Learning Partnership, training both teachers and technicians.

In the words of her students, Dr Bune is a passionate, enthusiastic, hard-working and inspiring teacher who makes learning about biology fun.

Dr Bune receives a £500 prize and a further £500 of school resources, both of which are provided by Oxford University Press, and the award will be presented to the recipient at the RSB’s Biology Week Networking and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 8 October 2024.

Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School is an inclusive 11-18 school where pupils achieve very highly and make significant progress in an environment that promotes scholarship, collaboration, and enjoyment of learning. Creative lessons and expert subject teachers inspire students to succeed and reach their potential, whilst an extensive enrichment programme of clubs, trips and wider school initiatives inspire, enrich and broaden pupils’ experiences. Bishop’s places a significant emphasis on learning opportunities that develop pupils’ character and confidence. Our core values of kindness, ambition, trust, teamwork, honesty and respect really mean something in our community, and permeate and underpin every interaction and area of school life. The school is a wonderful place to study and learn, where everyone is valued and supported to be the best they can be. Pupils leave ready to thrive in their lives and further studies, prepared for a successful future in whichever field they choose.