High Street, Tonbridge,
Kent, TN9 1JP
Chemistry
Well-resourced and with excellent technical support, experimental work is at the fore-front of the Tonbridge Chemistry experience, from the Novi right through to skill-based exams in the Sixth Form.
All boys study Chemistry in their first three years at Tonbridge School, either as part of the Separate Sciences IGCSE 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 IGCSE gained an A or an A*. Either route provides a sound foundation for A level study.
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.
The Facilities
The department is housed in 4 demonstration rooms, 1 demonstration and practical laboratory and two dedicated practical spaces. In addition to taught material, the Barton Chemistry library allows boys to research independently, using a large bank of reference books and networked computer facilities.
Staff
The department has 7 teaching members of staff and 3 technicians
Beyond the classroom
Chemistry Surgery
The Department runs "help and advice" sessions every Monday and Friday pursuits period. All members of the department assist with this on a rota basis. These surgeries also provide revision (both GCSE and A-level) at different times of the year.
Oxbridge Chemistry
Potential Oxbridge candidates are given wide-ranging lectures and seminars during and outside of the timetabled Oxbridge lessons. These sessions run throughout the sixth form, starting during the second-half of the first term in the lower sixth. The sessions involve problem-solving, taking concepts beyond A-level, individual presentations, interview and AEA and Olympiad preparation.
Chemistry Olympiad
Oxbridge candidates (and other interested students) are entered for the Chemistry Olympiad papers in February of their final year. Lower Sixth candidates are also encouraged to enter where appropriate. Tonbridge candidates regularly win medals of all colours in the UK round of the competition.
Top of the Bench
One or more teams comprising of boys from the second year enter the annual Royal Society of Chemistry Top of the Bench competition.
Schools' Analyst Competition
Subject to the timing of this competition, we enter 1 or 2 teams into this RSC-organised event.
Salters' Chemistry Camp
Tonbridge supports the Salters' residential Chemistry Camps held at local universities. The school is allowed to send one Year 10 student on these camps.
GlaxoSmithKline
This company, which has a local site at Powdermills, takes a small number of our L6th on work experience each year.
Beyond A Level
As a subject that combines analytical thinking with mathematical manipulation, factual learning and practical skills, Chemistry is an excellent precursor for most degree subjects. Whilst it is compulsory for medicine, veterinary science and chemical engineering, it is widely respected as a challenging course for A level study and this is recognised by the most competitive universities.
Every year a significant number of Tonbridge boys go to university to study Chemistry or Natural Sciences. Recent surveys suggest that less than half of these students will end up working in the Chemical field, with many following careers in banking, law and even teaching!
Department Successes
The department has an excellent record in the Advanced Extension Award with 19 Distinctions and 18 Merits in the past four years.
Three students have been selected to represent the UK in the International Chemistry Olympiad since 2003, most recently Robert Owen in 2009.