Chemistry
"There’s much more to Chemistry than white coats, men with beards, stinky laboratories and explosions."– Mrs Millington, Head of Chemistry
From the moment you are born, and throughout your life, you are surrounded by Chemistry - the air you breathe, the food you eat and the clothes you wear are just a few examples.
Chemistry is the study of substances; what they are made of, how they interact with each other and the role they play in living things. If you have a passion for discovering how things work, using logic and analytical skills, then Chemistry may be the subject for you.
A Level Chemistry gives you the opportunity to develop your appreciation of the topics that you were taught at GCSE level and a chance to find out about new themes and ideas that may have significant impact on society today. Like all A Level subjects, the two-year course will be demanding and rigorous but this should allow you to develop a genuine in-depth understanding of this fascinating science.
The specification that we teach at King Edward's is neatly organised into topics with ‘core practical’s embedded into the teaching. These practicals will cover a variety of experimental techniques and should allow you to gain confidence in your ability to manipulate apparatus and handle hazardous substances. We have five specific Chemistry laboratories that allow us to complete a significant number of practicals during the two-year course.
Entry Requirements
Grade 7 in Chemistry, or 7/7 in dual award Science.
Topics Covered
Over the two year course, students will study the following:
- Atomic Structure
- Amount of Substance
- Bonding
- Redox
- Energetics
- Organic Chemistry
- Transition Metals
- Equilibrium
- Kinetics
- Analytical Techniques
Methods of Assessment
Paper 1
Advanced Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
(30% weighting)
Paper 2
Advanced Organic and Physical Chemistry
(30% weighting)
Paper 3
General and Practical Principles in Chemistry
(40% weighting)
Papers 1 and 2 are topic based. Paper 3 will assess across the whole subject and have a practical focus. The three papers will contain the following types of question:
- Multiple choice
- Short response (2 or 3 marks)
- Extended response (5 marks or more)
Calculations will make up about 20% of the whole A Level assessment. 15-20% of the total marks will be on practical based questions.
Science Practical Endorsement
These are a selection of experiments chosen by the exam board that you need to be confident in from a theoretical and practical point of view. They are internally assessed and externally moderated. Many universities request a ‘pass’ in the practical endorsement as part of their offer.
Enrichment Opportunities
• A Level Chemistry Live! trip to London
• Cambridge Chemistry Challenge for the Lower Sixth
• RSC Chemistry Olympiad for the Upper Sixth
• Weekly problem solving workshop to help build skills for the Cambridge Challenge and Olympiad
Meet the staff
If you have a specific enquiry for the Chemistry Department, email chemistry@kes.hants.sch.uk
| Mrs. L. A. Millington | Teacher of Chemistry, Head of Chemistry |
| Mrs J. Collinson MChem | Teacher of Chemistry, Teacher of Junior Science |
| Mr. R.J. Cross BSc | Teacher of Chemistry, Teacher of Junior Science |
| Mrs G Dellar | Teacher of Chemistry |
| Dr. S.D. Gamblin | Teacher of Chemistry; Deputy Director of Studies |
| Mrs. E.L. Sheppard BSc | Teacher of Chemistry, Assistant Head (Registrar) |
| Mr. A. Smith BSc | Teacher of Chemistry, Teacher of Junior Science |
| Dr. E.L. Thomas | Teacher of Chemistry, Head of Upper School |
| Dr. N. Wortham MBiochem, PhD | Teacher of Chemistry, Head of Biology, Teacher of Junior Science |
