Success in Cambridge Chemistry Challenge 2023

A group of last year's Lower Sixth students took part in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge 2023 and performed remarkably well after their busy AS exam schedule and challenging academic year.

This competition aims to stretch and challenge students interested in chemistry and will provide an excellent experience for anyone considering taking their studies further. Set by an experienced team of teachers and university chemists, it is designed to be accessible to Lower Sixth students but will take them significantly beyond the syllabus and encourage them to think about science in the way they would at university. It is endorsed and sponsored by St Catharine’s College at the University of Cambridge.

The paper itself is based on the core of the chemistry A-level specifications, so that students taking any of the different exam board A-levels can compete fairly. The exam lasts 1.5 hours and is composed of a series of structured questions designed to stretch able students by making them apply the principles they have learnt to new and often more complex situations than they would meet in their A-level course. Thus, to score marks, it is essential to have a very sound base of knowledge and understanding, but also have the ability to think and reason - often "outside the box" - at a high level. 

The students were awarded 6 Gold, 6 Silver and 17 Copper Medals - an excellent achievement. 

Gold Medals were awarded to:

Jeremy G (O), Mico X (EDH), Charlie S (I), Isabella Q (MSH), Jennifer O’B (MSH), Tommy W (O)

Silver Medals were awarded to:

Hal H (Ch), Cherry L (QE), Ben L (S), Fukuoka K (), Jeremy C (O), Jasper T (Ch)

Copper Medals were awarded to:

Ollie C (RAJC), Gladys W (MSH), Chester Y (Ch), Angel L (MSH), Jan V-A (Rt), Jacky G (Rt), Cici H (MSH), Rio N (R), Maggie Z (QE), Nigel C (S), Ellie P (MSH), Rosie M (EDH), Isaac K-W (Ch), Umar S (S), Hal C (Rt), Moritz I (I), Daniel G (RAJC)

Dr Andy Briggs,

Head of Science/Chemistry