Chemistry

We aim to give our pupils a thorough grounding in the principles and applications of Chemistry and to make them aware that these applications can be both beneficial and detrimental to the individual, the community and to the environment.

GCSE Chemistry

Chemistry is popular throughout Senior School and continues to be so into GCSE. At Key Stage 4, students study for the AQA GCSE award as we see this as good preparation for the A Level syllabus alongside giving the best outcomes for all students. It gives a grounding in essential Chemistry knowledge and application.

Practical skills are integrated into lessons throughout the year as students complete ‘required practicals’. These are examined in the final examinations.

Many scientific and medical careers require a qualification in Chemistry. Employers in non-scientific areas regard the skills of problem solving, logical thinking and application of scientific method gained during a Chemistry course very highly indeed.

Co-curricular Activities

We recognise that co-curricular activities are important and aim to involve our students in as many out-of-class activities as possible. We have a huge range of opportunities available to our students during Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 and on into Sixth Form.

Co-curricular activities include:

• Spectroscopy workshop at Sheffield Hallam University and other relevant university trips
• Young Analyst Competition
• Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad
• CREST Awards
• #700STEMChallenge
• Cambridge Chemistry Challenge
• National Science Week Activities

Our pupils increase their self-confidence and develop many skills such as presentation, communication and teamwork, by being involved in these events.

Science Options

All of our pupils are required to study Science at GCSE.

Students will study the AQA GCSE specification from Year 9. Those choosing Triple Science as an option in Year 10 will study Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate subjects, achieving three GCSE grades.

Alternatively, our Double Science (Trilogy) option involves studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics, with students achieving two GCSEs (Science Double Award Trilogy).

Studying Triple Science will allow students to develop a deeper understanding of the three separate science subjects and provides a better foundation for the study of A Levels in these subjects. Studying Science Double Award does not prevent pupils from studying any of the Sciences at A Level.

Studying Science subjects will enable students to:

• Acquire a systematic body of scientific knowledge and facts, and an understanding of scientific concepts, principles, themes and patterns
• Appreciate the practical nature of science, acquiring experimental skills based on correct and safe laboratory techniques
• Appreciate the importance of accurate experimental work to scientific method and reporting
• Form hypotheses and design experiments to test them
• Sustain and develop an enjoyment of, and interest in, the scientific world
• Appreciate the significance of science in wider personal, social, environmental, economic and technological contexts, and consider ethical issues
• Select, organise and present information clearly and logically, using appropriate scientific terms and conventions