Chemistry is taught as a separate Science subject, by a specialist teacher, throughout Junior School. The material covered in these first three years of Chemistry underpin the specification requirements of GCSE. The variety of Reading, Writing and Audio-Visual activities is designed to build depth and width across the topics so that understanding and problem solving skills can be gained.

Pupils study the CCEA GCSE Revised Specification:

The specification has three units:

• Unit 1 – Structures, Trends, Chemical Reactions/Quantitative & Chemistry Analysis. Written examination in the summer of Form 5 (35%).

• Unit 2 – Further Chemical Reactions, Rates & Equilibrium, Calculations and Organic Chemistry. Written examination in the summer of Form 5 (40%).

• Unit 3 – Practical Skills. Practical examination (7.5%) during Term 2 of Form 5 and written examination (17.5%) in the summer of Form 5.

A Level pupils follow the CCEA Specification:

• AS 1: Basic Concepts in Physical & Inorganic Chemistry. Written examination in the summer of Lower 6 (40% of AS and 16% of A Level).

• AS 2: Further Physical & Inorganic Chemistry and Introduction to Organic Chemistry. Written examination in the summer of Lower 6 (40% of AS and 16% of A Level).

• AS 3: Basic Practical Chemistry. Pupils complete an externally assessed examination of a variety of practical tasks and a separate written examination consisting of a variety of questions testing knowledge of practical techniques, observations and calculations (20% of AS and 8% of A Level).

• A2 1: Further Physical & Organic Chemistry. Written examination in the summer of Middle 6 (40% of A2 and 24% of A Level).

• A2 2: Analytical, Transition Metals, Electrochemistry & Organic Nitrogen Chemistry. Written examination in the summer of Middle 6 (40% of A2 and 24% of A Level).

• A2 3: Further Practical Chemistry. Pupils complete an externally assessed examination of a variety of practical tasks and a separate written examination consisting of a variety of questions testing knowledge of practical techniques, observations and calculations (20% of A2 and 12% of A Level).