The Chemistry Department aims to inform, stimulate and challenge pupils of all abilities, providing them with the opportunities necessary to improve skills that will be useful not just in their academic careers but also in everyday life.
Key Stage 3 students follow schemes of learning based around the Northern Ireland Curriculum framework. Activities that promote key scientific and literacy skills have been built into the schemes. These include opportunities for students to further their scientific knowledge and understanding through planning investigations, obtaining evidence, and presenting and interpreting results.
Pupils have opportunities to develop creative and critical thinking in their approach to solving scientific problems. They also develop their practical skills by carrying out experiments and demonstrate self-management by working systematically.
GCSE Chemistry
At Key Stage 4 Chemistry is studied as part of the CCEA Single Award Science and Double Award Science specification. Chemistry is also taught as a separate GCSE in which students follow the CCEA specification.
Chemistry topics that are covered are:
Single Award Chemistry | Double Award Chemistry | GCSE Chemistry |
Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
Atomic Structure & Periodic table Materials Using materials to fight crime Metals and the Reactivity Series Qualitative Analysis Acids, Bases & Salts Bonding Symbols, Formulae & Equations Rates of Reaction Organic Chemistry |
Atomic Structure
Bonding, Structures and Nanoparticles Periodic Table Quantitative Chemistry Acids, Bases and Salts Chemical Analysis Metals and Reactivity Series Redox, rusting and iron Rates of Reaction and Equilibrium Energy Changes in Chemistry Organic chemistry II Quantitative Chemistry Electrochemistry Gas Chemistry |
Atomic Structure
Bonding, Structures and Nanoparticles Periodic Table Quantitative Chemistry Acids, Bases and Salts Chemical Analysis Solubility Metals and Reactivity Series Redox, rusting and iron Rates of Reaction and Equilibrium Energy Changes in Chemistry Organic chemistry II Quantitative Chemistry Electrochemistry Gas Chemistry |
In year 12 students will complete a controlled assessment that is based on some of the topics studied during the course. (25% of final grade)
A Level Chemistry
The course builds on the concepts and skills that will have been developed in the GCSE Double Award, or GCSE Chemistry. Interested students should achieve a minimum GCSE grade BB or above in Double Award Science or a grade B or above in GCSE Chemistry. You will need good mathematical skills for AS and A2 Chemistry.
The AS units make up 40% of the full A level, and the A2 units make up 60%.
Science Club
Science club meets weekly between September and Easter and all Key Stage 3 students are encouraged to attend. They have fun and get to carry out new and exciting experiments and get to know other students from different year groups.
Departmental YouTube Channels
Videos of chemistry experiments KS3, KS4 – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDCs3TbvaGNliL4MqxE0dDQ
GCSE and A-Level Revision help – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6aSVCWBhKMlnsKbNMPXH2A