Departments

Chemistry

The best things in life are free: the chemistry of love and the love of chemistry.

Teaching Staff

Mrs Heather Hamilton (Head of Chemistry)
Mrs Julia Jacques
Mrs Moe Emerson

Aims

• To stimulate and maintain an interest and curiosity in Chemistry.
• To gain chemical knowledge and develop a wide of skills, including practical work, working with others, using ICT and problem solving.
• To help pupils have a better understanding of the world around us, and appreciate the impact Chemistry can have on our everyday lives.

Key Stage 3

Pupils in Years 8 + 9 study combined science. The curriculum contains a balance of Chemistry, Physics and Biology units that have been developed by subject specialists. Units have been developed in line with the Revised Curriculum. The focus is on developing skills and good practical science.
In Year 10 pupils have one double period per week of Chemistry, and are taught by subject specialists. The curriculum provides a wide range of practical Chemistry and is an excellent building block for GCSE Chemistry.

Key Stage 4

Pupils follow the CCEA GCSE specification. Approximately half the students study Chemistry as a separate subject. The remainder follow the Double Award Science Specification. Coursework is an element of both specifications.

AS/A2

Pupils follow the OCR AS and A2 Chemistry Specification. Pupils sit two taught modules in each year. The first module is taken in the January of the AS year. The third module is a practical module where pupils are assessed internally on their practical and investigative skills, by completing a range of practical tasks.

Careers

Pupils at all levels are made aware of the range of careers that would require the study of Chemistry, such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and the Pharmaceutical industry.

Facilities & Resources

Chemistry is taught in three modern laboratories, each of which has a data projector, and access to a class set of laptops with remote network connections.

Achievements and Successes

Two Year 11 students attended the RSC Chemistry Camp at the University of Ulster Coleraine (August 2008).
Five GCSE students successfully completed the RSC Five-decade Exam Challenge. (June 2008)
47% of GCSE Chemistry students achieved an A* or A grade. (August 2008)