Head of Department: Dr S M Owen smo@sevenoaksschool.org
The Chemistry Department
The Chemistry Department at Sevenoaks is extremely popular and successful. We have approximately 180 students in the Sixth Form studying Chemistry and over the last few years these students have enjoyed considerable success at IB. Within the Department we aim to support the needs of all students; challenging and stretching the more able students but at the same time supporting students who find the subject more difficult. Our aim is that every student should reach their full potential in this subject.
The Chemistry Department occupies five purpose-built laboratories and one teaching room on the first floor of the Science and Computing Block. These laboratories are all extremely well-equipped with a wide range of glassware and an impressive array of data-logging equipment that is used by students in class practicals and extended investigations.
The Department endeavours to make full use of IT as an aid to teaching and every laboratory is equipped with a computer data projector and interactive whiteboard.
Years 7 & 8
In the Junior School students have three periods per fortnight and are taught by subject specialists. By the end of Year 8 students will have studied all the topics on the Common Entrance syllabus. Practical work plays a large role in the Lower School and students are encouraged to handle apparatus with confidence and learn through a series of practicals and demonstrations.
Year 9
Teaching of the IGCSE syllabus begins in Year 9, with students studying towards the Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (4CH0) course. Students start the course by studying separation techniques, states of matter and salt preparations with a heavy bias towards practical work. They then move on to learning about balancing equations and basic atomic structure, the main principles of which will be used throughout the rest of the IGCSE course. The reactivity and properties of metals will be discussed with an aim to understanding how different metals are extracted from their ores.
Years 10 & 11
Students continue their study of the IGCSE Chemistry course. They begin by relating the knowledge of atomic structure that they have learnt in Year 9 to understanding how atoms bond together. The study of rates of reaction is very much practically based and students are encouraged to develop the practical skills of accurate measurement and observation alongside understanding the basic principles of this important topic. Organic Chemistry is then introduced in Year 10 through the study of the properties and reactions of hydrocarbons, alcohols and polymers. The topic of stoichiometry is introduced through a program with a large practical content where reactions from throughout the course are used to illustrate the various types of calculations that a Chemist might be expected to undertake. Other topics covered in the course include Equilibrium and Redox Reactions. The emphasis in the IGCSE is placed on students understanding the basic principles underlying Chemistry so that they have a strong basis for the further study of Chemistry if they wish to continue in the Sixth Form and a good general introduction to Chemistry and its relation to everyday life if they do not.
The Sixth Form
IB Chemistry courses include a common core for both Higher and Standard Levels, covering 11 topics of physical, organic and inorganic chemistry. Students look at the properties of the atom and outline the nature of various types of bonding and structure, leading into the study of the Periodic Table. The students investigate the importance of energy changes and kinetics in chemical reactions and then apply the concept of chemical equilibrium to acid-base and redox reactions. Carbon chemistry is introduced through the study of the hydrocarbons. The Higher Level students study additional material which includes a more in-depth treatment of all the above topics and a more quantitative approach to solving problems. Both Higher Level and Standard Level students are required to study two Options. Practical work is an important part of the IB syllabus and during the two years of the course Higher Level students carry out 60 hours and Standard Level students 40 hours (including the Group 4 Project) work in the laboratories. 24% of the final examination mark is from internally assessed practical coursework. The Head of the department is the author of ‘Chemistry for the IB Diploma’, a text book for IB Chemistry.
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