Chemistry

Why study Chemistry?

The Chemistry course is engaging, innovative and relevant to everyday life. Learning about Chemistry will help you to understand how our world is in a delicate balance of chemical reactions and how we can work together to use science to improve lives. 

The course will allow you to develop your interest in and enthusiasm for Chemistry and to help you to recognise its increasingly essential role in society. It will give you a glimpse into the extraordinary opportunities and variety of work available to those wishing to continue with Chemistry beyond GCSE.  

Your specialist teachers have a variety of industrial work experience and will be able to give relevance to the topics covered from their own personal careers.

What does the course involve? 

The course began in Year 9. You will study four areas in Chemistry for the IGCSE course: 

• Principles of Chemistry 
• Inorganic Chemistry 
• Physical Chemistry 
• Organic Chemistry 

How is the course assessed? 

The course is assessed by sitting two exams at the end of Year 11: 

• Chemistry Paper 1: A 2-hour written examination paper (total marks 110) 
• Chemistry Paper 2: A 1-hour and 15-minute written examination paper (total marks 70) 

What can a GCSE in Chemistry lead to?  

GCSE Chemistry is an academic, engaging, and highly respected qualification. It equips you with strong analytical skills that will support your future studies and academic growth. Achieving a GCSE in Chemistry is essential for progressing to A Level Chemistry and is often a prerequisite for many science-based courses at university. 

This subject is valued for developing logical thinking, analytical abilities, and problem-solving skills, qualities that are highly regarded in a variety of career paths. For more information about science-related careers that require Chemistry, visit the Royal Society of Chemistry’s career resource; 

https://edu.rsc.org/future-in-Chemistry/career-options/job-profiles

What skills does the Chemistry course develop?

Throughout the course, you will be guided by enthusiastic teachers as you carry out experiments. You will gain and apply essential skills, knowledge, and a deep understanding of how science works. This will help you develop a critical mindset, enabling you to evaluate scientific evidence and determine whether claims made in the name of Chemistry are valid and reasonable. 

In addition, you will strengthen your problem-solving abilities, logical thinking, and mathematical analysis skills, while also learning how to effectively evaluate scientific data and evidence.