Chemistry

Taught at Kenilworth School & Sixth Form

Exam Board: Edexcel 

Assessment Method:  

Students complete and record 16 Core Practical experiments over the two-year course to demonstrate their competency in a range of practical skills. They must achieve a Pass in all the required practical skills. 

The final A Level grade is determined by three exams at the end of year 13:  

• Paper 1: 1hr 45mins  

• Paper 2: 1hr 45mins  

• Paper 3: 2hr 30mins 

Why Should I Follow This Course? 

Chemistry helps us to understand the world in which we live as we are surrounded by chemicals and chemical processes; from the food we eat to the battery powering our mobile phone, chemistry is a crucial part of our everyday lives. Chemistry is also vital in finding solutions to the world’s biggest challenges. It plays a pivotal role in the development of new antibiotics, energy storage and carbon capture technologies to name a few. A Level Chemistry provides a strong foundation in chemical principles, develops valuable scientific and analytical skills like problem-solving and practical experimentation, and opens doors to diverse career paths. The context-based approach links Chemistry to real-world applications, helping students understand its relevance to health, industry, and the environment. 

What will I learn? 

We follow the Edexcel A Level Chemistry course which covers all three strands of Chemistry; physical, inorganic and organic. In Year 12, we develop students’ GCSE understanding into a foundational introduction to higher-level study. We then further develop these topics in Year 13 where concepts are studied in further depth. 

Where Will This Qualification Take Me? 

A Level Chemistry provides a solid foundation that can be applied to a wide range of careers and further education. The course develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and laboratory skills that are highly valued in science and engineering fields. These skills alongside those of communication, logical thinking and data handling make an A Level in Chemistry desirable for many Higher Education courses outside the scientific field as well.  

Most students who study A Level Chemistry at Kenilworth go on to University to study a variety of courses including:  

Many of the courses above now offer a year in industry or a year abroad which are valuable experiences which can assist students to secure a job after graduation. An increasing number of students are applying for degree apprenticeships at companies such as Rolls Royce and Jaguar Land Rover. These provide an alternative to University for students who want more hands-on experience and a focus on training for a specific career.  

For more information about where an A Level in Chemistry can take you, go to the ‘Future in Chemistry’ page on the Royal Society of Chemistry website where you can find job profile videos describing a huge range of careers. Scan the QR code to find out more  

Entry Requirements:  

A minimum of Grade 6 in each Separate Science subject plus a Grade 6 in Maths, or, a minimum of Grade 6-6 in Combined Science plus a Grade 6 in Maths. 

For more information, please contact the Head of Chemistry, Mrs Walter: a.walter@kssf.kmat.org.uk