Chemistry

Course summary

Chemistry at Birkenhead School • A natural progression from AQA GCSE Chemistry. Many topics revisited but covered in greater depth. • An increased emphasis on explanation and understanding. A reduced focus on simply learning facts, with more time spent on analysis and application. • More sophisticated and interesting practical tasks. Students’ competence in this area will be assessed by completing 12-15 ‘required practicals’. • There is no coursework. As with the GCSE Specification, knowledge and understanding of practical work will be tested within the written papers. • The Department has a well-established record of success, with most L6 students continuing on to A Level. The majority of the School’s successful Oxbridge applicants have studied Chemistry to A Level. • Extension classes are available for the most able in the Upper Sixth. These students have the opportunity to enter the Chemistry Olympiad Competition. • A very popular Senior Science Club, with a number of students involved in industry-linked projects.