I would like to take this opportunity to welcome pupils past, present and future, and parents to the Chemistry Department within R.B.A.I.
Head of Department: Miss L Gray (Head of Chemistry and Single Award Science)
Members of Department: Mr D. Roy, Miss F. Green
Senior Technician: Miss A Moorhead
We have a thriving Chemistry department, consisting of three full-time teachers and one full-time laboratory technician. It is housed in a recently refurbished science block with three good-sized laboratories, a prep room, and a chemical store. Sixth Form pupils also have access to a Study Room for independent work and research. The department meets regularly to discuss teaching and learning strategies. We pride ourselves on delivery of high-quality lessons with excellent practical and experimental support. There is an expectation that students will aim high, reach their full potential, and enjoy the study and practice of Chemistry.
The timetable allocation for Chemistry is as follows:
|
Key Stage 3
|
2 x 35mins periods per week
|
|
GCSE
|
4 x 35mins periods per week
|
|
AS
|
8 x 35mins periods per week
|
|
A2
|
9 x 35mins periods per week
|
The topics covered at Key Stage 3 include:
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Year 8
|
What is Science?
What is Chemistry?
Periodic Table
|
|
Year 9
|
States of Matter
Acids and Alkalis
Physical and Chemical Changes
Water and Solubility
|
|
Year 10
|
Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
Separation Techniques
Atomic Structure
Chemical Reactions
|
The department follows the CCEA GCSE Chemistry specification and the CCEA GCE AS and A2 specifications. Each member of the department is provided with a Surface Pro Laptop, and we use Microsoft 365 and Google Classroom to enhance our teaching.
EXAMINATION RESULTS.
Chemistry is necessary for degrees in medicine, veterinary science and dentistry, and can open up a range of careers and higher education courses in optometry, physiotherapy, pharmaceutical sciences, forensic science, biomedical and biological sciences, and environmental health and food sciences. Chemistry can also help gain direct entry into employment, especially into the scientific and related sectors. We are extremely proud of the achievements of our students in the external examinations that facilitate their chosen pathway from school.
GCSE
|
Year
|
RBAI
%A*-C
|
NI Av
%A*-C
|
NI Male
%A*-C
|
RBAI
%A*-B
|
NI Av
%A*-B
|
NI Male
%A*-B
|
|
2023
|
100.0
|
97.4
|
97.5
|
69.1
|
78.3
|
75.6
|
|
2022
|
100.0
|
99.0
|
99.0
|
84.4
|
79.8
|
77.4
|
|
2021 (CDG)
|
97.6
|
98.4
|
98.1
|
61.6
|
84.0
|
80.7
|
A2
|
Year
|
RBAI
%A*-C
|
NI Av
%A*-C
|
NI Male
%A*-C
|
|
2023
|
100.0
|
88.7
|
88.1
|
|
2022
|
94.4
|
88.9
|
87.0
|
|
2021
(CDG)
|
85.7
|
94.5
|
93.2
|
Beyond the Classroom.
The Chemistry Department provides opportunity for boys to get involved beyond their timetabled lessons through Science Club in the junior school as well as external competitions run by the Royal Society of Chemistry, such as Top of the Bench and the Crest Awards. Selected GCSE students are also offered the opportunity to attend the Chemistry at Work event run by RSC at QUB each year.
A-Level pupils are encouraged to stretch and challenge themselves through participation in the Nuffield Bursary Programme, STEM summer schools at a range of UK schools and universities and entering the RSC Chemistry Olympiad.
A diverse range of talks are offered each year by the careers department that boys can attend from Year 12 upwards to enable them to gain an understanding and insight to the wide range of pathways and jobs that are available to them from studying Chemistry.