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Durham School

Day & Boarding School (Age 3-18)


Chemistry

Our Curriculum:

Sixth Form

CHEMISTRY at A level - At A level the AQA Chemistry specification is followed. Details may be found at www.aqa.org.uk

AS

Unit 1 - CHEM 1 Foundation Paper 70 Raw Marks / 100 UMS; 1hr 15 minutes 33.3% of AS mark, 16.7% of total A Level mark. Sat in June.

Unit 2 - CHEM 2 Chemistry in Action. 100 Raw Marks / 140 UMS; 1hr 45 minutes. 46.7% of AS mark, 23.3% of total A Level mark. Sat in June.

Unit 3 - CHEM 3; Investigative and Practical Skills. Externally marked route. 50 Raw Marks / 60 UMS. Practical Skills Verification (PSV & teacher verification). Externally marked practical Assignment (EMPA 50 raw marks) 20% of AS mark, 10% of total A Level mark. Sat in June.

A2

Unit 4 - CHEM 4; Kinetics, Equilibria and Organic Chemistry. 100 Raw Marks / 120 UMS. 1hr 45 minutes. 20% of total A Level mark. Sat in January.

Unit 5 - CHEM 5; Energetics, Redox and Inorganic Chemistry. 100 Raw Marks / 120 UMS. 1hr 45 minutes. 20% of total A Level.

Unit 6 - CHEM 6; Investigative and Practical Skills in A2 Chemistry. Externally marked route. 50 Raw Marks / 60 UMS. Practical Skills Verification (PSV & teacher verification) Externally marked practical Assignment (EMPA 50 raw marks) 10% of total A Level mark. Sat in June.

Resits - Any AS papers that are to be sat again in the UVI year will be done at the following times: Unit 2 in January, Units 1 and 3 in June. AS + A2 = A Level.

Faculty

Mr Kim Jones

Head of Science and Head of Chemistry

When not in his laboratory, Kim Jones is most likely to be found on a mountain; anywhere in the UK and at any time of year, most usually with a group of volunteer pupils, with other staff though occasionally on his own. A World Challenge leader he has lead recent expeditions to Ladakh, Madagascar, Uganda & Kenya, S.Peru, Argentina, Tanzania and Kilimanjaro and Mongolia. Home grown expeditions have taken pupils and parents to Iceland, Faroes and Lofoten Islands as well as Arctic Norway and other N Atlantic islands. Holder of Summer and Winter ML awards he is also a first aid trainer running courses for pupils, staff, parents and friends. Married to Christine (who teaches French and Latin) at The Chorister School they have three children all Old Dunelmians. Gareth is a professional singer and Daniel and Edward are both Doctors; Edward in Newcastle and Daniel in Nottingham. He may be contacted at k.jones@durhamschool.co.uk


Mr Andrew Wallace

Assistant Chemistry teacher

Mr Wallace is a qualified Kayak Level 2 coach, holds SPSA and ML (Summer and Winter) Award and is a keen climber and white water kayaker. Most recently he has been gaining experience leading to qualifications kayaking on the sea. He is also a World Challenge Leader having experience in Uganda, Kenya and Mt Kenya, Rajahstan and the Himalaya and Mongolia. He can also be found on the waterways and mountains of Britain in the company of Durham School pupils or other staff.


Miss Kirsty Lowery

Assistant Teacher of Science and Chemistry

Kirsty studied Chemistry and Biochemistry at Salford University. After graduating she studied for her P.G.C.E. and spent her initial teaching career in the NW England. She left a job as Head of Year at Oldham to return home to Seaham. Appointed to Durham School in April 2010 she took up the position of Junior Housemistress in Pimlico House in September 2010. Out of school hours she devotes her time to cake decorating and is delighted to be able to offer this as an activity available to pupils. She may be contacted at k.lowery@durhamschool.co.uk


Mrs Lesley Bailey

Senior Laboratory Technician

Lesley is now on her third Head of Chemistry. She has an unflappable ability to cope with anything thrown her way. A scout leader, respite carer for local children, the department would grind to a halt without her unstinting and very capable help.


Susan Donaldson

Lab Technician

Susan is the third in the lab technician team. She is the multitasking, multifaceted and multi-skilled member of the group and last year was nominated for the Chamber of Commerce 'Learner of the Year' for her performance on the mathematics programme and is now engaged in the NVQ Level 2 'Laboratory Technicians working in education' course. She might be found anywhere on the school site and if not in a lab is probably acting as secretary, in the finance office or even in the prep room. Susan adds much to the humour of the department and cleverly combines all of her many skills.


Darren Burton

Lab Technician

Darren was appointed in January 2010; he is the second full time member of the team. As well as general science he is responsible for the preparation of materials at GCSE and 'A' level in the physics department. As such he is trained to handle and give access to the school's radioactive materials. Possessing a keen sense of humour Darren came to us from some years of experience at a school in Chester-Le-Street and has a passion for organising things; all prep areas have benefitted from his observant and trained eye. Originally from the City of Bath, Darren possesses a BSC (Hons); he is also interested in music, is a part time Civil Servant and an aspiring interior designer.


Additional Information:

Visits, Trips and Competitions
Recent Chemistry / Science trips have included a visit to NE Youth Engineering Show by Year 9 pupils, a group of Year 9-11 pupils represented the school in the RSC Top of the Bench competition and sixth form students have visited Durham and Newcastle University Chemistry departments to see how a variety of spectroscopic techniques are used and at Durham found out just how pure samples of aspirin and paracetamol, that they had earlier prepared, were. Whilst sixth form chemists were touring the Newcastle site other scientists from the school were being entertained by a lecture on explosions. A similar series of visits, lectures and trips are planned this year and it is hoped that sixth form students will be able to match the success in recent years in the RSC Chemistry Olympiad competition. At the end of their courses AS and A2 students found the AQA revision sessions run by Newcastle University most useful.

Subjects within Science

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"In less than a term, our daughter gained hugely in confidence and self-esteem and this in turn led to a huge improvement in her standard of work, helped by a very early (within 2 weeks) identification of the need for some learning support, which was implemented and within only a matter of weeks showing massive benefits The engagement in House musical activities, too, helped her build her self-assurance. In addition, the opportunities for games offered by the School mean that she has now played hockey for the school (she never achieved that in 8 years at her previous school) and has taken the opportunity to try rowing, a sport not even available previously. All this in only a few weeks!"
Mrs Neal, Parent

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