Department Overview
Within Chemistry there are two options of study at KS4:
- Double Award Science or
- Triple Award Chemistry.
Double Award GCSE Science
The DA Science specification is unitised and includes seven units across Biology, Chemistry & Physics.
Three of these units are Chemistry units.
Unit C1 is taught in year 11 and covers the basics in chemistry. Topics such as atomic structure & bonding, formula & equations, chemical reactions, the Periodic table and chemical calculations are covered .
In year 12, unit C2 covers topics like the reactivity series of metals, redox reactions, rates of reaction, equilibrium, organic chemistry, quantitative chemistry, electrochemistry, energy changes and gas chemistry.
The third section Unit 7 is a practical skills unit.
Triple Award GCSE Chemistry
The GCSE Chemistry specification is unitised and includes three units.
Unit C1 is taught in year 11 and covers the basics in chemistry. Topics such as atomic structure & bonding, formula & equations, chemical reactions, the Periodic table and chemical calculations are covered.
In year 12, unit C2 covers topics like the reactivity series of metals, redox reactions, rates of reaction, equilibrium, organic chemistry, quantitative chemistry, electrochemistry, energy changes and gas chemistry.
Unit 3 is a practical skills unit.
Key Stage 5
The minimum qualification for this course is BB at GSCE Double Award Science with a grade B in your terminal year 12 paper (same applies to GCSE Chemistry).
Throughout the course you will build on your GCSE knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of the atom and the properties and analysis of different substances. You will also be developing your practical skills and ability to work with others as you and your peers synthesise and analyse many different substances.
Unit AS1: Basic Concepts in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Unit AS 2: Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry and an Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Unit AS 3: Basic Practical Chemistry
Unit A2 1: Further Physical and Organic Chemistry
Unit A2 2: Analytical, Transition Metals, Electrochemistry and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry
Unit A2 3: Further Practical Chemistry