Chemistry

Head of Department: Mr D.J. Evans

The Chemistry department is housed in the Palmer building, a two storey block containing seven teaching laboratories, a project/computer room as well as storage and preparation areas. Planning permission has recently been received to build new Science facilities and a new Chemistry department will form the first phase of the SciTec project.

Chemistry is part of the core curriculum from 1st to 5th form, and is a popular subject with over 70 students studying the subject in each year at A level. Throughout the school Chemistry is taught by subject specialists.

Many students go on to study Chemistry and allied courses at University including Oxbridge. Chemistry is also a subject chosen to complement other arts based A levels.

The department is staffed by:

Dr M.J. Bessent MChem PhD
Mr W.E. Buckley BSc
Mr D.J. Evans BSc MRSC MBA
Mr R.F. Hammond BSc
Mr D.J. Higgins MBiochem
Dr R.J. McKim BSc PhD MRS FRAS
Mr C.E. Penhale BSc
Dr C.J. Quiddington MChem PhD
Dr M.A. Stephen BSc PhD

Course content

GCSE

The AQA Dual Award Science specification is followed. There is an emphasis on the carrying out of experiments and on learning by doing.

AS and A2

We teach the OCR specification. For details of course content, and pattern of assessment, follow this link.

At A level there is an increased emphasis on the carrying out of practical work and the analysis and evaluation of results. The small group sizes allow for more discussion work and the development of problem solving skills.

Students keen on pursuing Chemistry or allied courses at University are encouraged to join our Chemistry research group. During the lower sixth year the necessary skills of the research Chemist are developed. In the upper sixth pupils are then involved in carrying out their own unique research. Current projects include the synthesis of possible anti-aging drugs, and the Chemistry of colour in Transition Metal complexes. Able students also have the option to enter the annual Chemistry Olympiad competition and sit the Advanced Extension Award exam.

AAAS

Each year members of the Lower and Upper Sixth studying any of the sciences have the opportunity to attend the annual convention of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. This gives them the chance to hear about the latest developments in a wide range of disciplines from leaders in the field from around the world.