We believe everyone is entitled to an excellent Chemistry education that is engaging, inspiring and relevant. We think it should equip learners with the skills and understanding they need to be scientifically literate, and to pursue the study of Chemistry at higher levels if they so wish.

Key Stage 3 Chemistry provides a foundation for the GCSE, and to achieve high GCSE grades.

GCSE Chemistry provides a foundation for A level Chemistry, and to achieve high A level grades.

A level students achieve the grades that enable them to gain places at top universities; we go beyond the curriculum to stretch them and prepare them for further studies.

Chemistry is one of the most popular subjects at CRGS with a high percentage of our students choosing to take GCSE Chemistry in Years 10 and 11; there is also a large uptake of Chemistry at A level (usually 90-100 students each year). This reflects a very busy and hard-working department, with very high standards.

A high proportion of our A level students are successful in applying to top universities (both in the UK and abroad) for a variety of subjects, such as Chemistry, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, as well many other related courses that benefit from A level Chemistry.

The Chemistry Department is very well resourced, comprising four fully-equipped modern laboratories, opened in September 2016, one room is equipped with eight computers and all rooms have a SMART board for using the latest ICT resources.

Department team

There are five teachers of Chemistry, who are all Chemistry subject specialists:

Dr R. Rampling - Head of Department
Mrs M. Russell -Teacher of Chemistry (part-time)
Mrs N. Gaunekar -Teacher of Chemistry
Mrs P. Grimsey - Teacher of Chemistry
Mr J. Rowlands -Teacher of Chemistry

Curriculum at a glance

We aim to develop enthusiasm and enjoyment for Chemistry. Our schemes of work are designed to encourage students to gain hands-on practical and data analysis skills, appreciate 'How Science Works' and its relevance beyond the laboratory.

Key Stage 3 Chemistry

Students study Chemistry as a separate science from Year 8 onwards, and generally follow the Activate course material, although extension work is also regularly provided. The course comprises the remaining topics from Key Stage 3 Chemistry not taught in Year 7 Science. Each topic is tested, and there is an internal exam at the end of the year.

Year 8 Chemistry topics include those fundamental to further studies, such as writing chemical formulae and equations, properties of elements, compounds and mixtures, and an introduction to the Periodic Table and simple atomic structure. Basic reactions are also introduced, with accompanying practical work.

Key Stage 4 
AQA 8462 GCSE Chemistry

Students begin the AQA GCSE course in Year 9. Each topic is tested, with an examination at the end of the year on all the topics covered during the year. Year 9 topics build on those from Year 8, with further study of structure, bonding and the Periodic Table. Energy changes in chemical reactions are also introduced.

Years 10 & 11
AQA 8462 GCSE Chemistry (continued)

Year 10 continues with GCSE Chemistry. There is a 1 hour 45 minute end of year examination, covering the GCSE content covered in both Year 9 and 10.

Year 10 Chemistry introduces quantitative chemistry, as well as electrochemistry, rate of reaction (kinetics) and redox reactions.  Making and identifying salts is extended from the basic Year 8 knowledge.

Year 11 Chemistry leads to the GCSE examinations in the Summer Term, examining content taught in Years 9, 10 and 11.  There are two 1 hour 45 minute written examination papers for the GCSE, with topics split between the two papers.

Year 11 topics complete the GCSE content, covering equilibrium reactions, organic chemistry, and the use of chemistry in industry. Also covered are use of natural resources, and the Earth’s atmosphere and pollution.

View the GCSE Chemistry Specification

View the GCSE Grade Descriptors for single sciences.

 

Key Stage 5
Year 12
AQA 7405 A level Chemistry

Year 12 begins with the Year 1 content of the A level Chemistry 7405 course. 

There are a range of topics from the three strands of Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry. The content builds on GCSE Chemistry, and extends it with more details, more complexity and/or more challenging applications of existing knowledge.  Topics include quantitative chemistry, introductory thermodynamics, kinetics and equilibrium, as well as organic chemistry (looking in detail at a selection of functional groups), and study of Group 2 and Group 7 elements.

Year 13

Year 13 study Year 2 of the AQA 7405 A level Chemistry course, which continues on from material covered in Year 12. There are again a range of topics from the three strands of Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry. Some of the topics introduce more unfamiliar concepts, such as electrochemical cells and more advanced thermodynamics. Much more organic chemistry is studied, covering a wider range of functional groups, as well as more advanced structure determination techniques, including NMR spectroscopy.

Practical skills are an essential aspect of chemistry, developed during Years 12 and 13. They are assessed in written examination papers, testing the knowledge and understanding of a student, as well as the ability to apply both to unfamiliar situations. There are required practical activities which need to be completed to a certain standard, to pass the practical component of the A level.

View the A level Chemistry Specification

Enrichment and support

Extra-curricular Clubs, Competitions, Trips and Workshops

To develop those who demonstrate a deeper interest in Chemistry, we participate in competitions such as the Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad (Years 12 and 13) and the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge (Year 12). Students may also attend a selection of visits to lectures and study days.

Support sessions, Gifted & Talented and Mentoring

To ensure that each student is fully supported in their time at CRGS we offer weekly lunchtime Chemistry 'Support Sessions' for Years 9 – 13. There are also after-school extension classes for Year 12 and 13 students (particularly for those interested in the RSC Chemistry Olympiad/Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, and 'Oxbridge' entrance).

Sixth Form students are also involved in mentoring lower school students during lunchtimes.

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Understanding Chemistry at KS3-5	28th Nov 2025	Download