Chemistry

Departmental Aims

• To inspire the Chemists of the future through excellent teaching and a range of teaching and learning experiences
• To provide a secure and stimulating environment for students of all ages and abilities to flourish and to achieve their best
• To spark intellectual curiosity through experimental work, giving students hands on experience of the laboratory
• To equip students with an awareness of the importance of the subject in the wider world

Facilities

• Our Science Centre provides the perfect backdrop to teaching the Chemists of the 21^st century
• Well-equipped laboratories allow us to place experimental work at the fore of lessons
• Three specialist Sixth Form laboratories give our A level students access to facilities and apparatus comparable to undergraduate teaching facilities
• Six full time teachers bring a wealth and variety of expertise to the classroom, including experience of academic research and public examining
• Our full time technician is dedicated to providing practical activities which make full use of our well-appointed facilities.

A Level Curriculum

We follow the OCR Chemistry A Specification which aims to:

• further develop students’ GCSE knowledge whilst introducing them to new concepts and challenging previously held theories
• develop competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem solving skills through the Endorsed Practical work where students build up a portfolio of their laboratory work over the two years
• develop their interest in and enthusiasm for the subject, inspiring them to go on to pursue Chemistry related disciplines and careers
• understand how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society

Co-curricular, Enrichment, Extension and Support

• Sixth Form Science Society – led and run by the students, a variety of activities are organised from the Science Fair for years 6 to 8 to the Sixth Form Science Dinner
• Twilight support sessions – led by Chemistry teachers, these are sessions where students can come along to get help with specific areas of the course
• The Chemistry Olympiad, run by the Royal Society of Chemistry takes place in January and is open to all Sixth Form Students
• Students attend a Spectroscopy Master Class at the University of Hertfordshire in the Summer term giving them access to undergraduate laboratories, using advanced equipment

50% of last year’s Year 13 students have gone on to study Chemistry or a related discipline at University, including:

• Biosciences/Biomedical Science
• Biochemistry
• Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemical Physics
• Dentistry
• Medicine
• Archaeology and Forensic Science
• Bioveterinary Science
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Neuroscience
• Robotics
• Zoology