'A' LEVEL CHEMISTRY
International A & AS-level Chemistry at Uplands

What are the aims of the A & AS-level Chemistry programme at Uplands?

• To prepare students to succeed in the A & AS-level exams
• To encourage students to fulfil their aspirations in the future education and careers
• To enable students to become critical thinkers who can solve challenging problems

What is it like to study A & AS-level Chemistry at Uplands?

A & AS-level Chemistry Students carry out regular lab work in which they are trained to use various experimental techniques. Lab work also reinforces the theoretical concepts learned in lessons and enables students to develop skills that are essential to practicing Scientists. A good conceptual understanding of chemistry is developed and reinforced by the use of a wide variety of teaching techniques. The rigorous and challenging nature of the course ensures that students are well equipped for success, whatever field of higher education they choose to pursue.

What is required to study A & AS-level Chemistry at Uplands?

Students must be committed, dedicated and hardworking. You will need to be able to study independently and as work well as part of a team. Students are expected to take responsibility for their learning and take a personal interest in the subject. 

'A' LEVEL PHYSICS
 At Uplands we follow the Cambridge A-level Physics syllabus (9702).
This course has a strong emphasis on both the Theoretical and Practical aspects of the subject. There is also a chance to study the fascinating modern applications of Physics, ranging from medicine to telecommunications.

In Year 12 the AS course studied extends work that will have been taught in an IGCSE or equivalent qualification. Fields covered include Forces and Energy; Electric charge; Waves and the Kinetic Theory of matter.

The excellent foundation provided by AS study allows more in-depth and insightful study at A2 level in Year 13. The course provides an opportunity to gain a conceptually satisfying understanding of such topics as Gravitational Fields, Electromagnetic Induction and Nuclear Reactions.

As a whole, this course develops students’ rigorous thinking skills and eventually their ability to operate comfortably with quite complex concepts.  In contrast, the practical aspect of the course is down-to-earth, emphasising precision hands-on skills. As such this course is highly regarded by Universities in training fledgling scientists. In addition the skills learned here, in precise thinking which always refers to quantifiable data, enhance a student’s readiness for many courses of University study and for working life.

"The A level biology course is taught by two specialist biology teachers who teach different sections of the course.  Either each teacher covers the theoretical and practical aspects of different sections of the course OR each teacher covers the theoretical or practical aspect.  There is a very favourable teacher to student ratio, giving students ample access to the teacher's time and knowledge. 
 
Students are first prepared for the theoretical and practical requirements of the AS course over two terms and have the option of sitting the AS exam in November.  A further two terms are spent covering the A2 part of the course, culminating in the June exam during which students may either sit all the papers or the A2 papers only if the AS papers were sat the previous November. 
 
Students are expected to work independently outside lesson time and need to familiarize themselves with the topic being covered to prepare themselves for the discussion based theory lessons.  Practical lessons provide ample opportunity for hands-on lab work, and help students to develop the required skills of experimental planning and data collection, analysis, interpretation and evaluation."

'A' LEVEL BIOLOGY
The A level biology course is taught by two specialist biology teachers who teach different sections of the course.  Either each teacher covers the theoretical and practical aspects of different sections of the course OR each teacher covers the theoretical or practical aspect.  There is a very favourable teacher to student ratio, giving students ample access to the teacher's time and knowledge. 
 
Students are first prepared for the theoretical and practical requirements of the AS course over two terms and have the option of sitting the AS exam in November.  A further two terms are spent covering the A2 part of the course, culminating in the June exam during which students may either sit all the papers or the A2 papers only if the AS papers were sat the previous November. 
 
Students are expected to work independently outside lesson time and need to familiarize themselves with the topic being covered to prepare themselves for the discussion based theory lessons.  Practical lessons provide ample opportunity for hands-on lab work, and help students to develop the required skills of experimental planning and data collection, analysis, interpretation and evaluation."

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