Over many years Chemistry has proved to be one of the most popular A level courses. It is the central science that links and underpins many different branches of technology. It is an investigative science that is concerned with the study and manipulation of atoms and molecules and the effect of these micro properties on the macro properties of substances. A knowledge of Chemistry lies at the heart of almost all technological change and progress. A chemist must therefore have an enquiring mind, looking for reasons why certain reactions occur and the effect of those changes.
For this reason Chemistry is highly regarded by universities as students are taught to think logically and express themselves clearly, accurately and concisely.
How is the course taught?
Although Chemistry has sometimes been divided up into and taught as separate inorganic, organic and physical chemistry sections we do not adopt that approach. The subject is taught as a fully integrated course so that the material is presented in a logical sequence that enables you to fully understand new work by applying previously taught ideas to new situations. The principle behind this approach is that it is always easier to learn the work if you fully understand the theory which underpins the topic.
Practical work is important and is fully integrated into the course. Practical work is done where it is needed to develop ideas. Due to our excellent facilities, individual practical work is possible and we are able to do many experiments that other schools could not. This clearly helps our students to perform exceptionally well with regard to the practical assessment component.
We do all we can to help all our students, regardless of their ability, achieve their maximum potential.
The course
We will follow the AQA AS/A level specification - click
here to view it.
Advanced subsidiary (AS) during Year 12 (% figures indicate how much each unit contributes to the final A2 exam mark):
Unit 1 – Foundation Chemistry – (16.67%)
1hr 15 min exam (100 UMS)
Unit 2 – Chemistry in Action – (23.33%)
1hr 45 min exam (140 UMS)
Unit 3 – Investigative and Practical Skills in AS Chemistry – (10%)
AS Centre assessed unit (60 UMS)
Investigative Skills Assessment (ISA) and Practical Skills
Assessment (PSA)
Those boys who continue the course for a full A level qualification in Year 13 then prepare for three further units:
Unit 4 – Kinetics, Equilibria and Organic Chemistry – (20%)
1hr 45 min exam (120 UMS)
Unit 5 – Energetics, Redox and Inorganic Chemistry – (20%)
1hr 45 min exam (120 UMS)
Unit 6 – Investigative and Practical Skills in AS Chemistry – (10%)
A2 Centre assessed unit (60 UMS)
Investigative Skills Assessment (ISA) and
Practical Skills Assessment (PSA)
The practical assessment work in UNITS 3 and 6 is of a similar format to that carried out at GCSE level. All of this work is carried out within lesson time. Part of the aim of our A level course is to utilise our excellent facilities giving our students experience of a wide variety of practical techniques.
Aside from the A-level course, our Year 12 and 13 Chemistry students have taken part in events such as:
Year 13 Spectroscopy Masterclass - for a report click
here.
Year 12 National Analyst Competition - for a report click
here.
Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad papers - for a report click
here.
