“Chemistry begins in the stars. The stars are the source of the chemical elements, which are the building blocks of matter and the core of our subject.” Peter Atkins FRSC (1940 – present day)
The aims of the chemistry department are to foster inquisitiveness and develop thinking skills through an active and inclusive program of study across all years. Practical skills are continually developed and remain a core area of lessons on a daily basis. Pupils are encouraged to utilise all their skills across all three of the science disciplines.
A level
In the sixth form, A level Chemistry is studied via the OCR A specification:
- Development of practical skills in chemistry
- Foundations in chemistry
- Periodic table and energy
- Core organic chemistry
- Physical chemistry and transition elements
- Organic chemistry and analysis
Chemistry provides an essential pathway into careers such as medicine, dentistry and engineering as well as being a good analytical foundation for the financial services. However, many pupils who study chemistry at A level go on to read for a chemistry or related degree at university. Ideas are built upon from GCSE and applications of chemistry in the scientific community are developed throughout the course. The course is split into six modules, all of which are examined via three written papers at the end of the course.
Practical skills are examined in the written papers but this also forms the “Practical Endorsement” that is reported separately from the A level and tests pupil’s practical ability via a series of core experiments.
A pupils’ performance in these experiments is reported and verified by the examination board but does not contribute towards the A level grade.
Co-curricular
Every year, Sixth Formers progress to university to study physical sciences, such as Chemistry, as well as the subjects that encourage an A-level in Chemistry e.g., medicine, dentistry and veterinary science. In order to encourage this, we expect Sixth Form pupils to engage in a range of activities and societies that they run themselves. Each term, we publish the science magazine “Strickland” which is written, edited and printed by science sixth fomers. Other activities involve running the “Café Scientifique” where visiting speakers and past pupils are invited to discuss their work and career in an informal cafe style seminar designed to enrich and enthuse study of science beyond A level.