Aims and philosophy

Chemistry is the study of the elements and their compounds. Everything we see, touch or taste is made up of chemicals. All our body parts are made up of chemicals, from the DNA in our cells to the enzymes that catalyse the reactions that keep us alive. We live longer due to the chemicals we manufacture, such as fertilisers to feed us, medicines to protect us from disease, polymers to clothe us and fuels that keep us warm and transport us. Computers, telephones and televisions would not exist but for the materials inside them developed and manufactured by chemists. Since chemical reactions lie at the heart of understanding how living systems function, an A-level in Chemistry is essential for the study of Medicine, Veterinary Science and other related degrees.

Curriculum by year-group

Shells: boys spend much time in the laboratory developing a sound and safe laboratory technique and completing exciting experiments on natural resources, separating mixtures, rocks and earth science, elements and compounds, kinetic theory, states of matter, the earth's atmosphere, acids, bases and atomic structure.

GCSE: the emphasis is on the understanding and application of chemical principles. It involves studying theoretical topics, such as atomic structure and how atoms of the elements combine, and industrial and environmental issues, such as getting chemicals from oil, making ammonia and the causes of air pollution. Much laboratory work is involved and 25% of the final marks are attributable to laboratory-based coursework.

AS-level: We begin to put the major themes of Chemistry on a firm footing. Students study a modern interpretation of atomic structure, chemical bonding and structure. Mole calculations are practised extensively and the Periodic Table, as well as the redox chemistry of the Group 2 and Group 7 elements is looked at in detail. Organic chemistry (the fascinating chemistry of carbon-containing compounds) forms a major part of the second AS unit, together with energy changes associated with chemical reactions, as well as rates of reaction and chemical equilibrium and an introduction to the major ideas in environmental chemistry. There is a practical assessment component for AS which contributes 15% of the mark.

A-level: This continues the study of organic chemistry and the boys sit the major organic paper in January of the Upper Sixth year. After that they continue the work on thermodynamics first met in AS, with the introduction of the important concepts of entropy and Gibbs energy. The second unit introduces a study of the Transition Metals and their compounds and looks at quantitative aspects of reaction rates, chemical equilibrium and acids and bases. A high profile is given to electrochemistry as it forms the basis for technology such as fuel cells. There is also practical assessment in A2, which carries 15% of the A2 marks.

Outside the classroom

The subject gives plenty of scope for visits to chemical and pharmaceutical companies (such as GlaxoSmithKline), as well as university chemistry departments, and to presentations and lectures given by bodies such as the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the Royal Society in London.Shell and Senior Science Lecture Competitions are run annually in which every boy presents a short lecture on a topic of his choice.

A Remove boy is chosen each year to apply for a Chemistry Camp, run at a UK university by The Salters’ Institute.A team consisting of two Shells, one Remove and one fifth former compete in the regional Top of the Bench competition, organised by the RSC. In 2010, Harrow reached the National Final of this competition.

Lower Sixth teams compete in the Schools’ Analyst Competition, run by the RSC.

We have been very successful in the Chemistry Olympiads of recent years (four Gold and nine Silver certificates in 2010) and regularly send boys to Oxford, Cambridge, London and other top universities to study Chemical Sciences.