Chemistry

Chemistry in the Lower School is all about developing a love for experimental science and problem solving. We deliver a challenging curriculum designed to stretch our pupils and help them develop the skills required to become successful chemists.

Lower Third (Year 7)

Whilst we follow the broad Key Stage 3 curriculum during the Lower Third, to ensure that our pupils are learning the same material as their contemporaries in other schools, we delve into GCSE material at every opportunity to introduce fundamental concepts and to stretch and challenge our pupils, helping them to develop the key skills they will later require.  Pupils have one double lesson per week, with a heavy emphasis on stimulating and engaging practical work. The following topics are covered over the course of the year.

• Lab safety
• Particles & the kinetic theory of matter
• Elements, compounds & mixtures
• Chemical reaction vs. physical change
• Solubility
• Physical & chemical separation methods
• Introductory formulae & equations
• Planning & carrying out experimental investigations
• Famous chemists & chemicals

Upper Third (Year 8)

In addition to Key Stage 3 material, we continue to explore GCSE topics during the Upper Third.  There is also a much greater emphasis on developing pupils' presentation and research skills.  The year culminates in atomic structure, arguably the most important topic in GCSE Chemistry, which is not taught until Years 10/11 in many schools.  We find that the pupils welcome this challenge and are highly motivated by the new ideas encountered.  Atomic structure is returned to in the Fourth Form, for the benefit of pupils joining at 13+, where progress into more complex ideas such as the nature of ions is rapidly made.  Upper Third topics include:

• Acids, bases and salts
• The structure of the Earth & plate tectonics
• The rock cycle
• Properties & reactions of metals
• How science works
• Thermal decomposition reactions
• Chemical formulae & balancing equations
• The Earth's atmosphere
• Combustion reactions
• Atomic structure
• Extension opportunities this year include the Salters' Festival of Chemistry - a one day event based in a university chemistry department

Trips and Extra-curricular

During the Lower and Upper Third, pupils can get involved in a range of extra-curricular activities and competitions such as Science club and the Salters' Festival of Chemistry.  External speakers are invited to the College to give lectures on novel areas of science, and trips to local centres of scientific interest are run.