As with all the Sciences, the emphasis for the Shell year is on enjoyment of the subject. There is ample scope for a wide range of practical work and the boys have the chance to develop their manipulative skills, whilst improving their ability to assess critically and explain the observed effects. By the end of the year boys should be totally familiar with the layout of the laboratories and be able to work safely and with a high degree of independence.

The year starts with work that should be largely familiar from prep school, but with more emphasis on explaining chemical and physical changes at a particle level and building a clear understanding of the organisation of particles in a solid, liquid and gas. The study of elements, compounds and mixtures then follows, and in this the boys are exposed to many fascinating chemical changes and mixture separations - many of which are relevant to the world outside. There is also the opportunity to present talks using powerpoint, on areas of ‘research’.

This early work is then put to use in a detailed look at fuels and energy. One important aspect of this work is to measure the rates of various reactions, providing a valuable opportunity to develop ICT skills.

There are school exams at the end of both the Michaelmas term and the Summer term. Separate exams are sat in Chemistry but the cut of the sets is based on overall performance across all three Sciences.