Chemistry - A Level

Student entry into our Sixth Form requires 5 grade 4 GCSE's or above including English and Maths.

If you studied the applied subject at GCSE we are asking for a grade 5 in that subjects (Grade 6 in Maths)

Chemistry is an incredibly fascinating field of study that is fundamental to the changing World we live in! Chemistry plays a role in everyone's day to day lives, it helps provide our basic needs of food, shelter, health, energy, clean air and water. An understanding of chemistry and chemical processes is crucial to fields such as medicine, smart materials and ‘green’ energy, with these areas working on solutions to extend the lifetime of our finite resources and tackling issues such as climate change. With Norwich Research Park just around the corner, Norwich has a thriving Science community exploring areas such as food research & analysis, sustainable development and much more!

Chemistry is sometimes referred to as the central science because it builds links and supports understanding of a range of subjects including physics, mathematics, biology, medicine, environmental and earth sciences. It is also a subject worth studying in its own right; incorporating a variety of skills from analytical thinking, creativity and problem solving to communication, numeracy and precision.

THE COURSE

A Level Chemistry builds on the knowledge gained in GCSE Combined Science or GCSE Chemistry. There are three key components of the course; Physical chemistry, Inorganic chemistry and Organic chemistry, all incorporating application of learned knowledge, mathematical and practical skills. Topics in year one include atomic structure, reaction rates and organic substances and analysis, leading on to polymers, thermodynamics and acid and base reactions in the second year. Assessment for A level is 100% terminal examination with three exams in the summer at the end of the two years.

There are three exam papers, with papers 1 and 2 each contributing 35 % each to the A level and paper 3 contributing 30 %. Paper 1 assesses physical and inorganic chemistry with relevant practical skills and paper 2 physical and organic chemistry with relevant practical skills. For both papers 1 and 2 there will be short and long answer questions. Paper 3 assesses any content and practical skills and data analysis based on the 12 required practicals, the questions consist of short and long answers as well as a 30 mark section of multiple choice.

Student entry into our Sixth Form requires 5 grade 4 GCSE's or above including English and Maths.

To study this course requires a minimum Grade 5 in chemistry (separate science) or 5-5 combined science as well as a minimum Grade 5 in mathematics.

A chemistry qualification opens doors to a wide range of careers both inside and outside the laboratory. Suitable for industrial work from oil, chemical and pharmaceutical companies to energy, environmental and the increasing demand for ‘green’ fuel. Other areas include public health, specialist product design, research in universities, government institutes, food and product analysis, teaching at all levels, nanoscience and any career that demands the ability to analyse, forecast, design, evaluate and work with high levels of accuracy.