Years 7 - 9

Year 7 students have the opportunity to enter a school competition on Acids in Everyday Life; the winning team from this competition goes on to the Salters’ Festival of Chemistry at Warwick University in March.  In Year 9 students undertake a study of Chemical and Material behaviour, and Chemical Patterns. This is then followed by an introduction to the GCSE course. 

Students also have the opportunity to take part in either an inter-house Chemistry quiz or competition at some point during these years.

Years 10 and 11 (GCSE)

Students will study Chemistry as part of the AQA Dual Award programme, leading to two GCSEs, or as part of the Triple Award Separate Sciences. The core areas are: Products from Rocks; Oil, Earth and Atmosphere; Structure, Bonding and Properties; Quantitative Chemistry; Rates; Electrolysis, Energetics; Acids, alkalis and salts.

The areas of Chemistry undertaken by those doing Further Chemistry include the Periodic Table, Energy Calculations and Analysis.

Throughout both of these years, students will have undertaken a study of How Science Works, and completed Investigative Skills assessed units.

During Year 10, students have the opportunity to apply to be nominated for a place at a Salters’ Chemistry Camp, held at one of many University Chemistry Departments across the country. For the last five years, we have successfully nominated four students each year for one of the prestigious places on these camps. All involved have enjoyed the experience tremendously and many have continued to study Chemistry into Year 12 and 13.

Years 12 and 13

Students study Chemistry at A Level for a variety of reasons, ranging from having a tremendous enjoyment of the subject to needing an advanced qualification in the subject for their career aspirations, such as Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science.

The OCR Chemistry A specification is followed, involving the Core areas of Physical, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry in both years of study. In addition, students are assessed in their Qualitative, Quantitative and Evaluative Skills throughout the course.

During these years students can experience a visit to the Royal Society of Chemistry Christmas Lecture at the Open University, a hands on masterclass at a University and a visit from a Royal Society of Chemistry ambassador to talk about careers involving Chemistry.