Course information
Chemistry
Ackworth School - Wakefield
01977233600
Pontefract Road, Ackworth, West Yorkshire, WF7 7LT
Course summary

Chemistry continues to shape the modern world with discoveries of new elements over the last decade. While most of us have grown up thinking chemicals are bad for us, it is vital to understand the role of chemicals in various industries such as energy, agriculture, automotive, petrochemical and pharmaceutical. It has led to the discovery of alternative sources of power, better productivity of crops and life-saving drugs including antibiotics, painkillers and cancer treatment. This makes Chemistry a rather challenging but extremely rewarding subject. The course comprises Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. Physical Chemistry covers topics such as atomic structure, bonding, energetics, kinetics, chemical equilibria, oxidation, reduction and redox equations, thermodynamics, acids and bases, and equilibrium constants. Inorganic Chemistry covers periodicity, alkane earth metals, halogens, properties of period 3 elements and their oxides, transition metals and reactions of ions. Organic Chemistry covers topics such as alkanes, halogenoalkanes, alkenes, alcohols, organic analysis, isomerism, aldehydes and ketones, amines, polymers, amino acids, proteins and DNA, chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Students complete regular practical activities which provide opportunities to develop essential technical skills and better understand the chemical concepts. Practice work includes volumetric analysis, enthalpy changes, measuring rates of reactions, identification of cations and anions, distillation of organic products, testing for organic functional groups, measuring electromotive forces of electrochemical cells, organic synthesis, and thin-layer chromatography. Students are assessed on their competencies throughout the A-level course.

Entry requirements

In the case of entry into the Sixth Form, conditional offers are made on the basis of a reference from the pupil’s current school and the achievement of appropriate grades at GCSE or equivalent.

How you'll be assessed

This is a linear qualification and students sit all examinations at the end of the course. There are three papers which have short and long answer questions. Paper 3 includes a greater emphasis on practical techniques and data analysis and also has a multiple-choice section. At least 20% of the marks in assessments for Chemistry will require the use of mathematical skills.

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionYorkshire and the Humber
Local AuthorityWakefield
Ofsted Rating
Gender TypeCo-Educational
ISI ReportView Report
Boarding Fee£36,447
Sixth Form Fee£11,394 - £17,844
AddressPontefract Road, Ackworth, West Yorkshire, WF7 7LT