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Chemistry


The Chemistry Department is very successful in terms of both academic achievement and co-curricular activities. The vast majority of pupils study Chemistry to GCSE and approximately half of them continue the subject in the Sixth Form.

Facilities

The departmental accommodation has four specialist laboratories and has a share of other laboratories for junior science teaching.

Curriculum

Pupils in the Shells and Second Form follow a combined science course, designed to give a firm foundation for the study of all three sciences. In the Third Year, selected topics from the Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry specification are taught and in the Fourth and Fifth Years the majority of pupils choose to take the Chemistry IGCSE. The AQA Chemistry A level is offered in the Sixth Form.

Ethos

This lively department prides itself on having excellent teacher-pupil relationships, an enthusiastic and logical delivery of subject matter and being available to pupils on an 'open house' basis. We offer both good resources and feedback to pupils through prompt and careful marking of homework, tests and coursework.

Destinations

The majority of our pupils who have taken A level Chemistry carry on to further study at university. A level Chemistry is, of course, a prerequisite for Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry, Pharmacy and other Biologically orientated degrees, as well as many of a more general scientific nature. In addition, a number of pupils have undertaken pure Chemistry degrees at prestigious universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.

Co-Curricular

A Junior Science Club meets one lunchtime a week for pupils in Shells and Second Year.  Pupils from any year group have the opportunity to carry out project work leading to the Bronze or Silver CREST Awards. An increasing number of Sixth Form students have been involved in Gold CREST Award projects, provided by local universities as well as other institutions and companies. Public Chemistry lectures at Birmingham University and Warwick University are regularly attended by Sixth Form students. In addition, a number of competitions are entered, including, in recent years, The RSC Chemistry Olympiad, West Midlands Chemistry Teachers Association Quiz and Cambridge Chemistry Competition for Lower Sixth (C3L6).

I am extremely satisfied with all aspects of the school and would not hesitate to recommend it.

Parent