General Information
Welcome to the Chemistry Department!
We have three specialist Chemistry teachers:
Dr Cunningham
Mr Fitzsimons
Mrs Thomson
and three Chemistry Laboratories
Room 112 (Dr Cunningham)
Room 114 (Mrs Thomson)
Room 116 (Mr Fitzsimons)
Key Stage 3
- In Year 8 you normally have one Science teacher for six periods per week.
- In Year 9 you normally have one Science teacher for four periods per week.
- In Year 10 you have a specialist Chemistry teacher for two periods per week.
- In Key Stage 3 we lay the foundations for the study of Chemistry at GCSE.
You will learn some really cool stuff about the Periodic Table
and elements like oxygen and compounds like water and carbon dioxide.
You might get to wear a white coat and help out on Open Day.
You might even learn some Chemistry jokes:)
What did the proton say to the electron?
Stop being so negative!
What did the proton say to the electron?
I am attracted to you!
Are you sure?
Yes. I am positive!
GCSE
Loads of students choose to study Chemistry at GCSE. You have 5 periods per week and the results are excellent. Our results are consistently above N.I. Grammar school averages.
We follow the CCEA specification. Some detail is provided below. Greater detail can be found by visiting www.ccea.org.uk or by talking to your Chemistry teacher.
- You do the Unit 1 examination at the end of Year 11. It is worth 35%.
- You do the Unit 2 examination at the end of Year 12. It is worth 40%.
- You also do Unit 3 in Year 12. It is worth a total of 25%.
You will find out what a mole is
and what a Chemist means when they talk about solutions and concentration.
One of the highlights in Year 12 is our annual visit to the Chemistry at Work exhibition at Queens University Belfast where we find out, from local companies, how Chemistry is used in the workplace.
A-Level
Chemistry is a very popular choice at A-Level.
- You can study Chemistry for one year and obtain an AS qualification.
- You can study Chemistry for two years and obtain a full A-level qualification.
Chemistry can open the door to many prestigious University courses and Careers.
You have 9 periods per week and the results are excellent. Our results are consistently above N.I. Grammar school averages.
A-level Chemistry top candidate in N.I.
Erin left Assumption Grammar to read Medicine at the University of Cambridge.
Some of our A* Chemistry students on Results Day. A future Doctor, Linguist and Dentist.
We follow the CCEA specification. Some detail is provided below. Greater detail can be found by visiting www.ccea.org.uk or by talking to your Chemistry teacher.
You do the AS1, AS2 and AS3 Units in Year 13. The AS Units are worth 40% of the overall A-Level.
You do the A21, A22 and A23 Units in Year 14. The A2 Units are worth 60% of the overall A-Level.
We have developed excellent relationships with external agencies such as Sentinus, the Nuffield Foundation and Queens University Belfast to provide Research placements for students.
It’s not all serious stuff, we have been known to take some time out every now and again!
