Chemistry

Chemistry is what makes the world work. From the materials that make up the electronic components, battery and touch screen in your phone, to the development of new drugs to help in the fight against cancer. Without the study of the matter that makes up the world around us, many of the developments that we have made in society would not have been possible. The study of chemistry is therefore key in developing a new generation of scientists who are ready to tackle the problems that our society may face, such as the growing threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria or the development of cleaner energy resources to help reduce global warming.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7 & 8)

At Key Stage 3, students follow the Activate scheme of work. This scheme is designed to inspire our budding scientists, whilst challenging and supporting them along the way. In Year 7, students learn about the fundamentals of chemistry whilst experimenting with acids and alkalis. In Year 8, students are then introduced to the periodic table before exploring the world of metals and other materials, among other topics. Students will also acquire key practical skills and an extensive specialist vocabulary that is then developed further at Key Stage 4. This is a rigorous scheme of work that prepares students well for their GCSE course in Year 9.

GCSE (Years 9, 10 & 11)

Examination Board: AQA

In Year 9, students study the chemistry content of the AQA science GCSEs. In years 10 and 11, students are placed in two sets. One group prepares for the Chemistry GCSE whist the second group works towards the Combined Science: Trilogy GCSE.

Throughout Key Stage 4, students also design investigations, make measurements, present data, draw conclusion and evaluate limitations attached to scientific evidences. More information on the science GCSEs can be found on the AQA website.

For Year 11, revision sessions are held in the Easter holidays to ensure continued access to help and support during this important period of their education.

"A scientist in their laboratory is not a mere technician: they are also a child confronting natural phenomena that impress them as though they were fairy tales." Marie Curie

Extra Curriculum

Session	Day	Time
Science Club	Monday	3.35 - 4.30pm
Year 9 support sessions	Monday	1.00 - 1.35pm
STEM Club	Tuesday	3.35 - 4.30pm
Year 10 support sessions	Wednesday	1.00 - 1.35pm
Year 11 support sessions	Friday	1.00 - 1.35pm

Chemistry resources

Programme of study - Year 7

Programme of study - Year 8

Programme of study - Year 9

Programme of study - Year 10

Programme of study - Year 11

Programme of study - Year 12
Programme of study - Year 13

KS3 & KS4 Kerboodle
KS3 BBC Bitesize
KS4 BBC Bitesize
AQA GSCE Chemistry

Other useful links

RSC http://www.rsc.org/
RSC Learn Chemistry http://www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry
RSC Periodic Table http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table
KS4 DocBrown http://www.docbrown.info/gcsechemistry.htm

Trips

Year	Month	Location
7	June	Drusillas Park, East Sussex
8	October	Natural History Museum, London
9	February	Science Museum, London
10	December	GCSE Science Live, London

During their GCSE course, students will unravel the structure of the atom and delve into the secrets of the periodic table, before studying how the properties and materials we find around us arise, and the exciting reactions that we see in the world around us. Students are then challenged to consider the kinetics and thermodynamics of reactions, before using maths to describe reactions in a quantitative fashion. The chemistry of fuels, some basic organic compounds, and polymers is then investigated, before studying the chemistry of the atmosphere and Earth's resources.