A-Level Chemistry
Physical, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry — with full on-site laboratory practical sessions including titrations, organic synthesis and spectroscopy. 3 sessions × 2 hours per week.
A-Level Chemistry
Chemistry is often called the central science because it bridges physics, biology and mathematics, underpinning medicine, materials science, pharmacology and environmental science. A-Level Chemistry is one of the most content-rich and intellectually demanding subjects at sixth-form level.
At The Astute College, our full-time programme is taught by a PhD-qualified chemist who makes complex content accessible through clear explanation, visual models and worked examples. Students receive 3 sessions of 2 hours per week — 6 contact hours every week — plus regular on-site laboratory practical sessions in our fully equipped science laboratory, essential for the Practical Endorsement.
3
Sessions per week
2 hrs
Per session
6 hrs
Contact time per week
12+
Required practicals on-site
Weekly Lesson Schedule
Theory & Mechanism Teaching
New content delivered through clear explanation, reaction mechanisms drawn step-by-step, and calculations worked through in full. Students practice under tutor supervision.
Laboratory Practical (fortnightly) or Calculations
Alternating between on-site laboratory practicals (with full risk assessment and write-up) and dedicated calculation sessions covering moles, concentrations, yields and spectroscopy interpretation.
Exam Questions & Organic Pathways
Multi-step organic synthesis questions, 6-mark extended response practice, and past paper questions covering all three areas of the specification.
Laboratory Practicals
All required practicals are carried out in our fully equipped on-site laboratory, essential for the Practical Endorsement.
Acid-Base Titrations
Redox Titrations
Measuring Enthalpy Changes
Investigating Reaction Rates
Preparation & Purification of an Organic Compound
Recrystallisation
Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC)
Identifying Organic Functional Groups
Inorganic Qualitative Analysis
Investigating Equilibrium
Electrochemical Cells
Spectroscopy Interpretation
Year 12 — AS Level Content
Sept–June, 3×2hrs/weekPhysical Chemistry 1
- Atomic structure and isotopes
- Amount of substance: moles, formulae, equations
- Bonding: ionic, covalent, metallic, intermolecular
- Energetics: enthalpy, Hess's Law, bond enthalpies
- Kinetics: collision theory, activation energy, catalysts
- Equilibria and Le Chatelier's Principle
- Oxidation, reduction and redox reactions
Inorganic Chemistry 1
- Periodicity: trends across Period 3
- Group 2 alkaline earth metals and their reactions
- Group 7 halogens: properties and reactions
- Reactions of halide ions
- Introduction to transition metal chemistry
Organic Chemistry 1
- Nomenclature, structural and stereoisomerism
- Alkanes: structure, bonding and combustion
- Halogenoalkanes: substitution and elimination
- Alkenes: addition reactions and polymerisation
- Alcohols: oxidation, elimination and esterification
Analytical Techniques 1
- Mass spectrometry: molecular ion, fragmentation patterns
- Infrared spectroscopy: bond identification
- Identifying functional groups from spectra
- Using data books: wavenumber tables and m/z values
Year 13 — A2 Level Content
Physical Chemistry 2
- Thermodynamics: lattice enthalpy and Born-Haber cycles
- Entropy and Gibbs free energy
- Rate equations and determining reaction order
- Equilibrium constants Kc and Kp
- Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells
- Acids and bases: pH, Ka, Kw and buffers
Inorganic Chemistry 2
- Period 3 oxides and their reactions with water
- Transition metals: properties, catalysis, colour
- Complex ions: formation, naming, shapes
- Ligand substitution reactions
- Reactions of aqueous ions and qualitative analysis
Organic Chemistry 2
- Aldehydes and ketones: nucleophilic addition
- Carboxylic acids and derivatives: acyl chlorides, esters, amides
- Aromatic chemistry: benzene structure, electrophilic substitution
- Amines: reactions and basicity
- Amino acids, proteins and DNA
- Polymers: condensation and addition
- Multi-step organic synthesis pathways
Analytical Techniques 2
- NMR spectroscopy: 1H and 13C spectra interpretation
- Chemical shift values and splitting patterns
- Combining mass spectra, IR and NMR to identify structures
- Chromatography: GC, HPLC and TLC
Exam Preparation
Calculation Practice Every Week
Moles, concentrations, yield, atom economy, pH calculations and electrode potentials practised systematically in every session.
Practical Endorsement
All required practicals completed on-site with structured write-ups. Students develop practical skills and technique in a real laboratory environment.
Termly Mock Exams
Full mock papers under timed conditions each term, covering all three specification areas with detailed written feedback.
6-Mark Extended Responses
Extended answer questions (mechanisms, evaluations, comparisons) practised regularly using the mark scheme structure that examiners reward.
Careers
Medicine & Surgery
Almost all medical schools require or strongly recommend A-Level Chemistry. It provides the biochemical foundation essential for clinical study.
Pharmacy & Drug Development
Pharmaceutical chemistry, drug design and clinical pharmacology all build directly on organic and physical chemistry studied at A-Level.
Chemical Engineering
Process design, industrial chemistry and materials manufacturing require the deep understanding of chemical principles developed at A-Level.
Dentistry
Like Medicine, Dentistry requires A-Level Chemistry to demonstrate understanding of biological and chemical systems relevant to oral health.
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Research into proteins, enzymes, DNA and cellular processes all require the organic chemistry and analytical skills built at A-Level.
Environmental Science
Climate science, pollution analysis and environmental monitoring all rely on chemical principles and analytical chemistry techniques.
Enrol on A-Level Chemistry
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