The Chemistry Department aims to inform, stimulate and challenge pupils of all abilities and to provide them with opportunities to improve skills, both mental and practical, that will be useful not just in their academic careers but also in everyday life.
Pupils are encouraged to become confident citizens in a technical world, able to develop an informed interest in matters of scientific interest.
Programmes of Study Enrichment
Dr G A Doyle (Head of Department)Mrs S J AutyS R HawthornT G R MarvinM W McVeighW D L NicholasR B PickT N Thomas(Mrs C A Walsh)
At GCSE, science is compulsory. We follow the recently launched AQA Science specification and teaching starts in the Shell (Year 9). The chemistry course covers all aspects of the exam board's syllabus and there is a particular emphasis upon practical work. At the end of their time in the Lower School, currently pupils will gain either the GCSE Additional Science qualification (equivalent to the previous GCSE Science Double Award) or a GCSE in each of the separate sciences – Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This programme of study is particularly suited to pupils intending to carry on with one or more of the sciences in the sixth form. To see further information in a new window, click here.
At AS and A2 level we follow OCR's Chemistry ‘A’ specification. Pupils are placed by ability in sets (a maximum of twelve in each) and teaching is split equally between two teachers. In addition to studying theoretical aspects, pupils pursue an extensive course of practical work, some of which is assessed and contributes to the grades at both AS and A2 levels.
Upper Sixth pupils may also work towards the Advanced Extension Award in Chemistry offered by AQA which stretches the most able A2 candidates and enables them to really demonstrate their scientific flair. There is also the opportunity to take part in the especially challenging Chemistry Olympiad.
All pupils are encouraged to read widely, enabling them to more fully appreciate chemical, medical and related issues and advances. Our libraries are well stocked with modern and up to date texts which fully support all of the courses we deliver but also go well beyond these.
A full range of resources is available that caters at the one extreme for pupils taking their first steps in science and, at the other, for pupils interested in looking at current undergraduate texts as used in our most prestigious universities. Other activities, lectures and optional tutorials, encourage the development of skills essential for life beyond the Sixth Form. Pupils are challenged to think as young scientists, and not merely to pass exams. Pupils interested in applications to read the sciences or medical sciences at University are offered particular support and encouragement including tutorials.
Immediately after the AS examinations, the Lower Sixth attend a Science Symposium offering a choice of fascinating and cutting edge lectures from the fields of chemistry, biology, physics and medicine.