Chemistry
About the Department
The Chemistry department aims to provide a worthwhile educational experience for all students whether or not they go on to study Chemistry beyond the school. In particular, students' studies enable them to acquire understanding and knowledge of the concepts, principles and applications of Chemistry so that they may become confident citizens in a technological world and be suitably prepared to embark upon post school Chemistry-dependent courses and studies. We develop abilities and skills that are relevant to the study and practice of Chemistry, are useful in everyday life, encourage safe practice, and encourage effective communication. We stimulate curiosity, interest and enjoyment in Chemistry and its methods of enquiry. Pupils will be able to use I.T. as a source of information and as a tool in the processing of results.
We have excellent facilities and resources to allow us to deliver a high class level of teaching and learning. We have two large laboratories that have recently been refurbished.They are well equiped to allow students to carry out a full range of experiments.
The department is made up of 2 full time members of staff and one part time member.
Teaching and Learning
In Second and Third year the emphasis is on developing key skills, such as viewing substances in terms of the particular nature of matter, and confidence in practical work as well as the acquisition of factual knowledge. The main topics covered are States of Matter, The Kinetic Theory, Metals & the reactivity Series and Acids & Alkalis.
In the Fourth and Fifth Years pupils study IGCSE Chemistry - Cambridge International Examinations. All students take the Chemistry separate award IGCSE. This course is assessed by examinations at the end of the 5th year counting for 80% and practical work counting for 20%. The practical skills are developed over the two years with progressive assessments throughout and a practical exam in June of the final IGCSE year.
Classes are set by ability for GCSE Sciences.
In the Lower Sixth Form & Upper Sixth pupils take GCE AS Level Chemistry and GCE A2 Level Chemistry - AQA Specifications. Pupils are tested in January and June and there are practical assessments throughout the year refining their experimental techniques and procedures; culminating in a final exam. The average set size is about 10 students.
Activities
There is a Chemistry Club available for year 7 Nippers and 2 form pupils and workshops for all year groups.
The Sixth Form attend The Royal Society of Chemistry Christmas Lecture. The Upper Sixth visit Edinburgh University to see the instrumentation techniques which are used to identify chemical compounds; this is relevent to one of the sections in the A2 course. There is a visit to the Glasgow Science Centre and visiting lectures.
The Fourth Form visit Grangemouth oil refinery to see Chemistry in Action.
What Pupils Say
"Chemistry is really cool: colours, smells and bangs, it's all happening " (3rd Year)
"I like the mixture between problem solving and fact learning that there isn't in any other subject" (4th Year)
"The topics we study are particularly relevant today with climate change and new technologies featuring daily in our everyday lives." (Upper 6th)
Head of Chemistry: Susannah Ward
Susie studied Chemistry at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. After working as a chemical researcher for Kodak Ltd, London, she was commissioned for six years in the British Army. After retraining at Bath University, she taught Sciences in schools in Wiltshire before moving North to become Head of Chemistry at Loretto in 2006.
Chloe Reid
Chloe studied Environmental Chemistry at Edinburgh University. Having graduated, she went travelling for five months to various countries including Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and America. On her return to Edinburgh, she worked for a year with Standard Life before doing Teacher training at Moray House in 2006. She completed her probationary year at Preston Lodge High School last school year.