Chemistry

The Chemistry department is staffed by specialist Chemistry teachers, and the subject is taught as a discrete Science from the start of Senior School; the three Science departments work together and with other departments on curricular development.  The department has four labs, three of which have been refurbished to a high standard within the last few years. Practical work is encouraged, as is participation in national events such as the RSC Chemistry Olympiad, the ‘Top of the Bench' schools quiz, the SCIS Organic Chemistry Masterclass and the Schools Analyst Competition.

 

Chemistry: Staffing

Mr Iain McGonigal (Head of Department)

Mr McGonigal has been at Heriot’s since 1991 and is a graduate of the University of Glasgow. Mr McGonigal is involved in outdoor activities such as Sailing and the Lomond Challenge, and is a Duke of Edinburgh Award Supervisor and Assessor for Cycle expeditions.

Mrs Johan Blaikie

Mrs Blaikie started teaching at George Heriot's School in 1988. She is keen on sporting and outdoor activities and is involved in the senior school Games programme. Mrs Blaikie is a former Captain and President of the GHSFP Ladies Hockey Club.

Mrs Frances Donaldson

Mrs Donaldson started teaching at George Heriot’s School in 2007.  She came into teaching as a mature student having worked in the Semiconductor Industry for many years. Presently she organises and runs the S1 table tennis club.

Miss Katie Mouland

Miss Mouland joined Heriot's this session for her Probation year. She is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and the University of Edinburgh. Miss Mouland has a prominent role assisting Mrs Hutton with the swimming club at Heriot's.

Mr John Wilson

Mr Wilson joined Heriot’s in 2004 and is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh. He has been heavily involved in the recent citizenship initiative and study skills committee and is a marker for the SQA . Mr Wilson is involved in outdoor activities and runs the junior Badminton club at Heriot’s.  

Mrs Barbara Barrett (Technician)

Mrs Barrett has been the Chemistry Technician since 1986. She is a qualified First-Aider and holds a Health and Safety at Work certificate. As well as organising chemicals and equipment for the Department she is directly involved with Advanced Higher investigations and S1 and S2 Practical Assessments.

Chemistry: Curriculum

S1

The S1 course introduces Chemistry as a discrete branch of science. The course is very practical, and pupils learn to work together in small groups on topics such as measurement, recognition of physical and chemical changes, elements and compounds, chemical formulae and practical separating techniques. Pupils will encounter a wide range of teaching methods throughout S1.

S2

The course continues to expand pupils’ knowledge of the material world by experiment through topics such as water, solutions, acids and alkalis, metal properties and extraction. Pupils will have opportunities to research and give a presentation to the whole class on a relevant topic of their choice.

S3 and S4

At Heriots pupils opting for Chemistry are presented for the NQ Intermediate 2 course award. The Int 2 course is wide-ranging in nature and provides a very sound basis for further study in Chemistry. However, even if the subject is not pursued beyond S4, the course will provide a good basic understanding of materials, their importance and how they interact with each other. The problem-solving, numeric and investigative skills obtained will be useful in many walks of life, but particularly in other science subjects.

The co-operative practical approach developed in early years remains central to learning in Chemistry, and topics such as Reaction Rates, Acids, Bases, Neutralisation, Metals and Carbon Chemistry lend themselves well to this. In addition the course delves much more deeply into the theoretical background such as Atomic Theory, Systematic Nomenclature and Bonding and Structure, and introduces Chemical Calculations.

S5

Higher Chemistry is essential for most medical and science based careers, but the skills of numeracy, inquiry and problem-solving gained in this course will stand the pupil in good stead in all walks of life. A pupil completing Higher Chemistry will have a deeper understanding of the material world and a good basis upon which to form opinions on topical issues such as the environment and pollution, fuels and energy.

As with all chemistry courses, the Higher has a large practical element, though some parts of the course are quite theoretical and require activities such as interpretation of data from scientific sources. Topical issues such as pollution, the use of alternative fuels, the nature and importance of the chemical industry and the development of modern materials like kevlar will be tackled using methods such as group research, discussion and presentation.

S6

Heriot’s usually presents around twenty-five candidates for Advanced Higher Chemistry. The AH class is taught using methods which attempt to bridge the transition between school and University, with theory delivered to the whole group in lecture format. The class are divided into smaller mixed-ability sets for the weekly two-hour practical sessions, and a single weekly tutorial period with one of the Chemistry teachers is also the norm. As well as the three theory Units, the AH course includes a Chemical Investigation of the pupil’s own choosing. The planning, experimental work, analysis and conclusions are all completed between January and March. A Lab Daybook is kept which forms the Unit Assessment (‘NAB’) for the Investigation, and a 2000-2500 word report is submitted to the SQA and forms 20% of the final mark for the course.

A good Advanced Higher gives the option of exemptions from first-year courses at some Universities.