Chemistry

Course summary

Most of the topics studied will be familiar from GCSE but they are treated in more depth and with greater rigour. Students are taught by two staff who follow parallel ‘strands’ of work. The content is delivered through a mixture of practical work and whole class teaching during which active participation is encouraged. Whilst there is a significant amount of factual knowledge to be learnt, the course aims to build upon principles and scientific method. Much independent study is necessary to supplement class time and the department provides materials to support this. We also encourage pupils to identify areas where they need assistance, and actively to seek our help, either via direct contact or by attending one of the department clinics. The course will build upon some of the core concepts learnt at GCSE level, such as atomic structure, bonding, rates of reaction and organic chemistry. It will then add to the level of understanding and introduce slightly more complex theories in each case, as well as providing new areas of study, not previously encountered in GCSE Chemistry. The final A Level will be based entirely upon exam work. There will be a separate acknowledgment of practical work, based upon students obtaining a range of skills from a list of core activities attempted during the two years of the course.