Chemistry
Introduction
We enable our students to become competent, confident, independent scientists with a genuine interest in the world. Our students develop their understanding of scientific processes by being encouraged to view the world around them critically and with curiosity. We emphasise the relevance of the subject in today’s society and the importance of a working knowledge of scientific enquiry. We challenge our students to ask ‘how?’ and ‘why?’ and by doing so we foster a lifelong interest in the subject.
Through our teaching of the subject content, we encourage the development of a wide range of skills that will be of use in many areas of their future lives, not least in the world of work. Good scientists are both numerate and literate and we aim to provide a variety of opportunities for pupils to seek out new ways of developing through real science experiences.
Finally we maintain a safe, relaxed and productive atmosphere in which all pupils feel able to express themselves, contribute fully and have fun!
Co-Curricular Enrichment
Weekly Science clubs and societies, Chemistry, Physics and Biology clinics encourage pupils in their science learning at every stage. We also hold a Science Fair each year in National Science Week, at which pupils in Lower 4th present their science projects and experiments to children from local primary schools.
Form 3 to Lower 4th (years 7 to 9)
The two year course covers the QCA programme of study for KS3 science, excluding some topics which are taught in Upper 4 at the start of GCSE. This programme focuses on the development of skills at a practical level. We utilise the Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education (CASE) programme to boost scientific enquiry developing an awareness of reliability, validity of data and evaluation.
- Light and sound
- Skeleton
- Energy
- Chemical reactions
- Acids and Bases
- Body systems
- Forces
- Metals
- Food and Nutrition
GCSE
Pupils will have already begun to study the GCSE Science courses during Upper 4. They will be able to choose which Science subjects they wish to continue to study to full GCSE level. They may choose all three or just two.
We need a scientifically literate society, able to think critically about contemporary issues such as climate change, fracking and antibiotic resistance. Advances in Chemistry and Technology are extremely rapid and the body of knowledge is expanding at a rapid rate to enormous proportions. To cope within this ever-advancing technological society, the chemistry course offered will endeavour to encourage pupils to be resilient, adaptable, thinking individuals, able to apply knowledge and initiative to solve problems.
Summary of content
- Atomic structure and the periodic table
- Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
- Quantitative chemistry
- Chemical changes
- Energy changes
- The rate and extent of chemical change
- Organic chemistry
- Chemical analysis
- Chemistry of the atmosphere
- Using resources
- Space physics
A level
Chemistry is an incredibly fascinating field of study; it is so fundamental to our world, chemistry plays a role in everyone's lives and touches almost every aspect of our existence in some way. Chemical technologies enrich our quality of life in numerous ways by providing new solutions to problems in health, materials, and energy usage. Mathematics is a key component of the course 20% and enables students to translate qualitative understanding to quantitative analysis.
- Redox equations
- Kinetics
- Transition Metals
- Optical Isomerism
- Electrode Potentials
- Electrochemical Cells
- Acids, Bases and Buffers