GCSE Chemistry

Course Content

The aim of the GCSE Chemistry course is to allow students to develop essential knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Chemistry, and the skills needed for the use of these in new and challenging situations. Students gain an understanding of the link between theory and experiment and become aware of how advances in ICT and instrumentation are used in Chemistry. The A Level course takes a more in depth approach to Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, and allows students to make connections between these three branches of the subject.

The aim of the course is to enable students to have a greater understanding of materials and their properties. Through practical work and classroom discussion, students are encouraged to broaden their imagination to enable them to visualise what goes on in chemical reactions at the atomic level. The course should enable students to see the importance of Chemistry in the world around them and stimulate an interest in the applications of the subject in our society.

Course Structure

You will follow the Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry or Double Award Science specification. The GCSE course begins in Year 9, at the end of which students choose Double Award or Single Sciences. In Years 10 and 11 they complete their GCSE courses and take exams at the end of Year 11. Students take the International GCSE from Pearson with 9-1 grading.

Reading and Resources

Students have access to 2 texts, Chemistry For You and the Edexcel text. All students purchase the revision guide for a nominal amount which contains really useful exam notes. Students can also access Twig World which is an online resource showing fantastic clips and animations to help them understand the subject.