Students : Curriculum : Science : Chemistry
Key Stage 5 - Years 12 and 13
Chemistry gets more interesting as you move up the school and most students
enjoy their ‘A’ level studies. The subject fits well with other subjects
and not just the traditional sciences and mathematics. It is essential for students
who aspire to Medicine, Veterinary Science, Geology, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy,
Forensic Sciences and Environmental Sciences. The skills that students learn
in Chemistry can be transferred to many other areas and Chemistry graduates end
up running large corporations or even the country. (Margaret Thatcher was a graduate
chemist.)
We follow the Nuffield Advanced Chemistry course published by Longmans and
examined by Edexcel. It is approximately 40% physical chemistry, 40% organic
chemistry and 20% inorganic.
Students study for their ‘AS’ qualification in Year 12 and sit
modules in January (Unit Test 1 90 marks / 300 90 minutes) and June (Unit Test
2 120 marks/ 300 90 minutes). Unit Test 3 is made up of a number of Assessed
Practicals that are completed in the laboratory and make up 90 marks / 300.
The ‘A2’ qualification also has modules in January (Unit Test
4 90 marks / 300 90 minutes) and June ( Unit Test 6 – the Synoptic paper
120 marks/ 300 120 minutes). Unit Test 5 comprises an Investigation, a Special
Study (currently Biochemistry) and a mark for practical competence. ( 90 marks
/ 300).
We usually arrange a visit each year to the graduate laboratories at Bristol
University to see the modern sophisticated chemical analysis equipment such as
MNR, Mass and Infra-Red Spectoscropy
Useful websites:
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