Chemistry at 'Coll'.

The Chemistry Department at Glenalmond College aims to encourage and stimulate, as well as challenge pupils of all abilities. We hope to provide them with opportunities to improve their skills, both in a practical and scholastic sense, which will be useful not just in their academic careers but also in everyday life.

Pupils are encouraged to become confident citizens in a technical world, able to develop an informed interest in matters of scientific interest.

Our Programmes of Study

At GCSE science is compulsory. We follow the AQA Chemistry 4421 specification and teaching starts in the 3rd form. The chemistry course covers all aspects of the exam board's syllabus, but also focuses on the fundamentals of chemistry as well as practical work. In the 5th form, an extended experimental investigation is undertaken which forms part of the GCSE science coursework known as the Investigative Skills Assessment or ISA.

At AS and A2 level we follow the OCR SALTERS Chemistry specification. Pupils are placed in mixed ability groups and teaching staff follow pupils through both years of study. In addition to studying theoretical aspects, pupils pursue an extensive course of practical work, culminating in a folder of assessed experiments which contributes to the grades at both AS and A2 levels.

In an effort to stretch our very brightest, extra tutorials are provided in the autumn term to help students prepare for the RSC Chemistry Olympiad. In the spring and summer we also prepare students who choose to work towards the Advanced Extension Award.

Students participate in both internal and externally run competitions, most notably the "Top of the Bench", run by the Royal Society and the RSC "Chemical Analyst" competition, run in conjunction with Heriot Watt University.

The department

The department consists of 4 highly qualified and enthusiastic teachers including;

Mr David Armitage – Head of Department

Mr John Owen – Subwarden

Dr Joe Stewart – A' level Examinations Officer

Dr Sue Colby – Chemistry and Biology specialist.