Chemistry

Aims/philosophy       

The aims of the Chemistry department are to enable pupils to develop:

  • The basic chemical understanding needed to be effective and informed citizens
  • Their respect for the natural environment as well as their understanding of how chemistry can improve that environment
  • Their knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas at a level appropriate to further career aspirations and their own ability
  • Their enjoyment of scientific work

  • Their skills of scientific enquiry, including observation, measurement, safe working, investigation, problem-solving and evaluation

The course content

Key Stage 3

Years 7 - 9

 

Major themes include

Obtaining pure substances from natural resources, Air and burning,  

Metals - their extraction and reactivity, Rocks, The structure of matter.

Key Stage 4

Years 10 - 11

We follow the new Edexcel International GCSE course for upper sets and the AQA Dual award GCSE for the lower sets.

Major themes include

Formulae and equations, Acids bases and salts, Energy and fuels, Atmosphere and pollution, Industrial chemistry, Organic chemistry, 

The Periodic table, Quantitative chemistry, How science works.

The sixth form    AS level, A level and the International Baccalaureate

We follow the new Edexcel AS and A level courses.

This comprises 30 topics divided into 6 'units'. There is no practical exam, practical skills being assessed during both the AS and A level courses.

The IB course is a five-term course offered at the Higher Level (HL) and at the Standard Level (SL). Core topics 1 to 11 and the more detailed HL topics 12 to 20. SL candidates will only cover the relevant core topics. Further study is offered in Human Biochemistry and Further Organic Chemistry. There is no practical exam, practical skills being assessed during both the SL and HL courses.

Chemistry is taught as a separate science from the very first year in the College by a team of four graduate chemists.  We have four Chemistry laboratories, one of which can be used as an IT suite, and our own laboratory technician (Ruth Gilbert - also a graduate).  Sufficient apparatus is available to ensure that pupils can work individually when required and all laboratories have multimedia computers and data projectors networked to our own server as well as the school's. The department is well resourced with audio-visual equipment including a full class set of laptop computers.

Achievements          

The average external exam results for the last five years;

A-level:          97% pass rate with 54% at A or B

GCSE:            99% pass rate with 63% at A* or A

In March 2002 we won the Salter's Festival of Chemistry at Exeter University and were runners up in the 2004 Festival at Plymouth University, winning it again in 2008. We were University Challenge winners at the 2007 Salter's Festival and runners up in 2009.