Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of the substances that make up the Universe. It deals with questions such as:

What are these substances made of?
    How do they interact?
        How can we make new useful substances?
            What role do they play in living things, including in us?

From the day we were born Chemistry has been part of all our lives. The air we breathe the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the substances that make up you and me are all part of the study of Chemistry.

In Year 7 we learn about basic laboratory skills and safety, methods of separating mixtures, acids and alkalis, and materials and matter. Year 8 begins with a bang, with a study of metals and their reactivity! We also study the air, combustion, iron and steel, oxygen and geology. The Year 9 course begins with a detailed study of acids and salts, including practical work on the preparation of salts. Other topics covered in Year 9 are; products from rocks, metal carbonates, carbon dioxide, water, particle theory and reaction rates.

The GCSE course covers all areas of Chemistry. In Year 10 the course includes quantitative chemistry, atomic structure and bonding, aqueous chemistry, analytical chemistry and rates of reactions. In Year 11 topics include industrial chemistry, organic chemistry, energy changes, the atmosphere and geology.

The A level course has five modules of work:

Module 1 - Atomic structure, Bonding and Periodicity
Module 2 - Introduction to Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Module 3 - Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Module 4 - Further Physical and Organic Chemistry
Module 5 -Thermodynamics and Further Inorganic Chemistry 

Chemistry lessons include many different types of activity. In all years, there is a large element of practical work, from making pure salt in Year 7 to making aspirin in Year 13. We learn to work safely in a laboratory and through practical work to gain a deeper understanding of the subject. We learn problem solving skills in answering questions such as 'How many dyes were used to make an ink?', 'How acidic is a sample of river water?', 'Which bleach is best value for money?'. We use computers in a number of ways in Chemistry lessons including word processing, spreadsheets, use of databases, computer simulations, Internet research and to help with experimental work. Videos are used in lessons to broaden our appreciation of the importance of Chemistry to the world outside.

The Chemistry department contributes to the weekly Science Club offered during lunch time. We also offer revision clubs for GCSE and A Level students. The department frequently enters students for local and national science competitions.