Chemistry

Assessment

In Chemistry at KS5, we develop knowledge and skills from KS4. We introduce them to a wide range of new topics from fundamental Chemistry to innovative new concepts. The curriculum provides students with the change to engage with topics that are linked to real world problems, such as climate change. Through practical assessments students are able to conduct investigations and acquire important laboratory skills and techniques. A minimum of 12 practical activities are conducted as part of this course. Chemistry is an excellent subject to study, it provides a platform to study many degrees at University and can lead to many varying degrees in science. Chemistry at our school has been extremely popular and successful. Students who study Chemistry go on to study a wide range of science based degrees from Biochemistry and biomedicine to forensic science. Chemistry is a requirement to study Medicine at University and many of our students go on to study medicine. Through our close working relations with top universities we are able to apply for pupils to attend summer schools affording them the opportunity to gain hospital work experience. Students through studying Chemistry at A level develop excellent skills in problem solving that can set them up for a wide variety of other degrees and careers. Pupils study AQA syllabus, the specification can be found here: https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/chemistry/specifications/AQA-7404-7405-SP-2015.PDF In year 12, pupils study the following topics: -Physical Chemistry -Atomic Structure, Kinetics, energetics, equilibrium and redox reactions. -Inorganic Chemistry -Periodicity, Group 2 and group 7. -Organic Chemistry -Alkanes, Alkenes, Halogenoalkanes, alcohols and organic analysis. In year 13, pupils study the following topics: -Physical Chemistry -Rates, thermodynamics, equilibrium, electrochemical cells, acids -Inorganic Chemistry -Transition metals and reactions of aqueous ions. -Organic Chemistry -Optical isomerism, Aldehydes, ketones, Carboxylic acids, Aromatic chemistry, Amines, Polymers, Amino acids, proteins, DNA, Organic synthesis, Nuclear magnetic resonance and chromatography.</html>