The Chemistry department is currently staffed by 2 full time and one part time staff, who work closely together as a team. The department is ably supported by two full time science technicians who are shared across the Science Department. The department shares an office with the Biology and Physics teachers ensuring free exchange of resources and ideas. Each teacher has their own, well-equipped teaching laboratory with interactive LCD screen and the space to complete practical work owing to our small class sizes (maximum of 24 at GCSE but in most cases 20).

In Year 7 Students at Halliford are taught ‘Science’ by one teacher (across 4 x 40 minute lessons per week) before splitting the subject into separate disciplines in Year 8 (2 x 40 minutes per discipline per week). All students commence their GCSE in Chemistry in Year 9 (with 2 x 40 minute lessons per week) following the AQA Chemistry Course (i.e. separate sciences). At the start of Year 10, however, students make a decision, with parental and staff input, whether to continue with ‘Separate Sciences’ or to switch to the AQA Combined Science: Trilogy course. Students continue, regardless of their chosen qualification pathway to study Chemistry in 3 x 40 minute lessons until the GCSE examinations.

At A Level, Students study the AQA Chemistry A level Specification and are endorsed in line with CPAC requirements for their required practical work. A level classes benefit from 8 x 40 minute lessons per week.

Co-curricularly, students currently compete in the Surrey SATRO (Scientific Problem Solving) competition, the RSC ‘Top of the Bench Competitions as well as the Chemistry Olympiads in the Upper and Lower Sixth. We look forward to the successful candidate growing further opportunities for our students.

The Head of Chemistry would work alongside the Heads of Biology and Physics to ensure students at Halliford receive inspirational and caring teaching leading to excellent outcomes, enabling them to access the best and most appropriate higher education courses.