Chemistry

Academic > Departments > Chemistry

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The Chemistry Department consists of 3 laboratories, 5 teaching rooms, a library and a centrally placed preparation room which is serviced by three technicians. Each teaching room is very well equipped with computer, video camera and data projection facilities. All practical laboratories are linked to the school computer network.

All boys study Chemistry in their first three years at Tonbridge School, either as part of the Separate Sciences GCSE course, or as one third of Double Award Science. Both courses place a great deal of emphasis on practical work and the applications of Chemistry in the world around us. Both courses are examined by Edexcel and the results are excellent. Last year 100% of our candidates for Chemistry GCSE gained an A or an A*. In 2008, the first cohort of Tonbridge boys will be taking International GCSE in science. The Chemistry department has fully supported the move to the IGCSE, following the changes to the UK specifications at this level.

Approximately 40 - 50 boys a year opt to continue with their study of Chemistry in the sixth form at Tonbridge. The department follows the AQA AS and A level course. A steady stream of boys continue to study Chemistry or its allied subjects (Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry etc) after they leave school, with many gaining admission to top UK universities. Many boys study the subject as a pre-requisite for admission to Medical School. The A-level results are outstanding, with some 73% of our candidates achieving grade A in the last three years years.

The department is very active in promoting Chemistry outside of school. We regularly have teams competing in the local round of the "Top of the Bench" competition, organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry, with the 2006 team gaining second place in the national finals. We also compete in the RSC's "Schools' Analyst" competition every year.

Members of the Upper Sixth regularly win medals of all colours in the UK round of The International Chemistry Olympiad competition.