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)

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 but delve into GCSE material at every opportunity in order to stretch and challenge our pupils and to introduce key concepts and skills as early as possible. 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)

We continue with Key Stage 3 topics during the Upper Third, whilst continue to delve more heavily into GCSE material.  There is also a much greater emphasis on developing pupils' presentation and research skills.  The year culminates in atomic structure, a topic that is not taught until Years 10/11 in many schools.  Such is the importance of this topic, we like to introduce it at this stage and the pupils seem to welcome the challenge.  The topic is returned to in the Fourth Form to bring pupils joining at 13+ up to speed, whilst providing sufficient extension opportunities to keep our continuing pupils challenged.  The topics studied this year are:

• 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.