A brief overview of Chemistry in the Sixth Form

Hear from some of our current Chemists!

There are 9 periods a fortnight split 5/4 between two teachers. Teacher one (5 periods) covers the following topics:

• Atomic structure and ionisation energy

• Structure and bonding

• Periodicity

• Energetics

• Redox reactions and Group 7

• Group 2

• Equilibria and Kinetics

Whilst teacher two (4 periods) covers the following:

• Amount of substance (moles)

• Organic Chemistry looking at alkanes, halogenoalkanes, alkenes and alcohols.

There is no coursework but students do have to keep a lab book to record experiments that cover the required practicals and the overall practical competencies.

In the Upper Sixth there are 10 periods per fortnight, 5 for each teacher. Teacher one covers the following:

1. pH, acids and bases

2. Equilibria including Kp

3. Kinetics and rate equations

4. Thermodynamics including entropy (disorder)

5. Electrochemistry

6. Periodicity

Whilst teacher two covers:

• Organic Chemistry involving carbonyls, aromatic molecules, amines, amino acids, proteins, DNA, polymers and spectroscopy.

• Transition metal chemistry 

More practical work is completed and competencies are recorded and ticked off as understood so that a student can be awarded a practical "pass".