Chemistry

Overview

Foster curiosity and creativity by providing engaging, practical experiences that inspire pupils to explore chemical concepts and apply their knowledge to real world challenges.

Create a friendly and respectful classroom where pupils feel supported and are comfortable sharing ideas.

Encourage perseverance and resilience in problem-solving and scientific investigation.

Staff

There are six members of staff within the Chemistry Department, each of whom teaches the full range of the curriculum from Year 8 to A Level and is based in their own classroom, equipped exclusively for the subject. They are:

Name	Role
N McGaughey	Head of Department
J Gerrish	Teacher
R Nicholson	Teacher
E Supple	Teacher
D Allen	Teacher
R Lynch	Lab Support

Curriculum

At A Level you will follow the CCEA Specification. This specification is split into 6 units.

Year 13

AS 1: Basic concepts in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry

This unit is worth 40% of the AS and 16% of the overall A Level assessed by a written exam at the end of Year 13.

AS 2: Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry and an Introduction to Organic Chemistry

This unit is worth 40% of the AS and 16% of the overall A Level assessed by an external written exam at the end of Year 13.

AS 3: Unit AS 3: Basic Practical Chemistry

This unit is worth 20% of the AS and 8% of the overall A Level. It is made up of two parts.

Booklet A: Is an externally assessed practical examination made up of a variety of tasks. This booklet is completed in school at the end of Year 13. (25 marks)

Booklet B: Is an externally assessed paper which consists of a variety of questions testing knowledge of practical techniques, observations and calculations. Pupils take the examination in the exam hall at the end of Year 13. (55 marks)

Year 14

A2 1: Further Physical and Organic Chemistry

This unit is worth 40% of the A2 and 24% of the overall A Level assessed by an external written exam at the end of Year 14.

A2 2: Analytical, Transition Metals, Electrochemistry and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry

This unit is worth 40% of the A2 and 24% of the overall A Level assessed by an external written exam at the end of Year 14.

A2 3: Further Practical Chemistry.

This unit is worth 20% of the A2 and 12% of the overall A Level. It is made up of two parts.

Booklet A: Is an externally assessed practical examination made up of a variety of tasks. This booklet is completed in school at the end of Year 14. (30 marks)

Link to Microsite: https://ccea.org.uk/post-16/gce/subjects/gce-chemistry-2016

At GCSE you will follow the CCEA specification. This specification has 3 units:

Unit 1: Structures, trends, Chemical Reactions Quantitative and Chemical Analysis.
This unit is studied in Year 11 and is worth 35% of the overall GCSE.

Unit 2: Further Chemical Reactions, Rates and Equilibrium, Calculations and Organic Chemistry.
This unit is studied in Year 12 and is worth 40% of the overall GCSE.

Unit 3: Practical Skills. This unit is worth 25% of the overall GCSE qualification. It is split into two components:

Booklet A: This is carried out in term two of Year 12. Pupils carry out a variety of practical tasks within a laboratory in school. This booklet is worth 7.5%.

Booklet B: This is an external written booklet, where pupils answer structured questions that require both short and extended responses as well as carrying out calculations. All of this is assessed in a practical context. This booklet is worth 17.5%

All external assessments are taken at the end of Year 12.

Link to microsite:
https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-chemistry-2017

In Years 8 and 9, Chemistry is taught as a component of Junior Science. Here, pupils are introduced to the colourful and exciting world of Chemistry, looking at concepts such as reactivity and studying the makeup of the air around us. There is an emphasis on developing practical skills.

In Year 10, pupils have a one-hour block of Chemistry per week, and they are taught by a subject specialist. This is an excellent preparation for studying Chemistry at GCSE.

Additional Information

The Chemistry Department enriches pupil life beyond the formal curriculum. Pupils participate in the Junior Science Club and engage in our Chemistry Mentor Scheme. They compete in events such as the Royal Society of Chemistry's Top of the Bench Competition and the Irish Chemistry Olympiad. Additionally, our annual visit to the Chemistry at Work Exhibition broadens their understanding and enthusiasm for Chemistry.