Chemistry is the study of substances, what they are made of, how they interact and what role they play in living things. Everything you see around you involves chemistry in some way. Studying chemistry will encourage you to keep your eyes open and may dissuade you from buying things without considering what they are made of!
As the central science, chemistry underpins other disciplines such as biology and geology. It can be highly creative, for example when designing new molecules with unique properties.
Chemists provide many of the materials of everyday life, together with the knowledge to improve healthcare and to appreciate the major environmental problems that face us all. In the fight against scourges like cancer, malaria and Aids where would we be without Chemists? Knowledge of chemistry will give you a greater understanding of the world we live in and could lead to a career rich in challenge, variety and opportunity
Entry with:
GCSE grade A in Chemistry or GCSE grade AA in core and additional science, and GCSE grade A in Maths.
- • A supportive and friendly atmosphere in which students are encouraged to seek help and have ample opportunity to do so.
- • Outside speakers and visits.
- • Opportunities to take part in national competitions.
Awarding body:
OCR
AS Level Units
Unit 1: A foundation unit building on materials covered in GCSE courses, e.g. structure, bonding, electron configurations, the mole and equations. 30%
Unit 2: A unit including some organic chemistry (e.g. alkanes and alcohols) and physical chemistry (e.g. rates of reaction and energy changes) as well as modern analytical methods and ‘green’ chemistry. 50%
Unit 3: Internally-assessed coursework. 20%
Advanced (A2) Level Units
Unit 4: Further organic chemistry and more coverage of modern analytical techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance. 30%
Unit 5: Further physical and inorganic chemistry, including rates, equilibrium, entropy, electrode potentials, energy for the future, and environmental issues. 50%
Unit 6: Internally-assessed coursework. 20%
| | Year | Qual | A* | A | B | C | D | E | U | A-C | A-E |
| Chemistry | 11/12 | A | 36 | 72 | 72 | 34 | 17 | 8 | 4 |
88.1%
|
98.4%
|
| Chemistry | 10/11 | A | 45 | 72 | 85 | 34 | 17 | 7 | 2 |
90.1%
|
99.2%
|
| Chemistry | 09/10 | A | 41 | 69 | 59 | 39 | 13 | 9 | 0 |
90.4%
|
100.0%
|
| Chemistry | 08/09 | A | | 97 | 61 | 29 | 20 | 6 | 2 |
87.0%
|
99.1%
|
| Chemistry | 07/08 | A | | 114 | 62 | 26 | 11 | 5 | 0 |
92.7%
|
100.0%
|
| Chemistry | 11/12 | AS | | 153 | 76 | 35 | 24 | 12 | 9 |
85.4%
|
97.1%
|
| Chemistry | 10/11 | AS | | 158 | 92 | 33 | 23 | 8 | 0 |
90.1%
|
100.0%
|
| Chemistry | 09/10 | AS | | 131 | 80 | 39 | 21 | 15 | 1 |
87.1%
|
99.7%
|
| Chemistry | 08/09 | AS | | 124 | 61 | 44 | 24 | 16 | 0 |
85.1%
|
100.0%
|
| Chemistry | 07/08 | AS | | 139 | 70 | 33 | 18 | 5 | 3 |
90.3%
|
98.9%
|
- • Experienced and highly trained teachers
- • New laboratories and resources area
- • Excellent IT facilities
- • Excellent provision of worksheets and text books.
“The practicals are always enjoyable. I really like the diversity of the course, with information coming from so many aspects of the subject - it means I am never bored! I find the lunchtime surgeries are an excellent resource; a teacher is always there with an open ear, ready to help.”
Ellie Howe
“The teaching style and content bridge the gap between GCSE and A-Level nicely, providing an easy transition. The early topics reinforce and expand upon what has been learnt at GCSE, and the later topics provide a challenging but fascinating insight into Chemistry. Theory is coupled with appropriate practical work which enables further understanding of each topic, and teachers and staff are always willing to offer support if you need it.”
Ben Pauley