Chemistry Gifted & Talented
Classroom teaching and School environment are powerful influences on student behaviour and learning. Within Chemistry, we provide opportunity for every child to seek out and engage in learning at a level beyond that required by mainstream curricula. We nurture gifted pupils’ natural curiosity and this, in turn, achieves excellence.
Gifted and talented pupils have significant ability in some or all of the following areas:
General intellectual ability, Specific academic ability, Creative Thinking, Leadership ability
The Chemistry Department provides opportunity in all these areas via a variety of mechanisms.
Curiosity
We are fortunate to have the academic expertise and facilities to introduce pupils to a variety of imaginative experiments. These provide the perfect opportunity to challenge expected outcomes and present pupils with opportunity for creative problem solving, metacognitive skills, developing higher level creativity and of course – having fun. All that we do is linked to the fundamental principle upon which curiosity thrives – thirst for knowledge.
The department subscribes to New Scientist, Catalyst, Chemistry Review, Education in Chemistry, The Week, National Geographic and many other RSC publications, all of which are readily available to pupils.
Academic Excellence
Chemistry students regularly achieve entry to Oxford & Cambridge University. High achievers enjoy the challenges provided by Chemistry, including International Chemistry Olympiad and Advanced Extension Award Papers (even though they are not examined).
E Zhang, 2008, gained an UMS points total that put her in the top ten students in the country for A2 Edexcel Chemistry.
Leadership Opportunities
University based competition such as Salter’s Festival (Y7-8), Top of the Bench (Y9-11) and L6 Analytical Chemistry provide intellectual stimulus, challenge and collaborative thinking. Whilst we have enjoyed much success in these competitions, their true value is experienced when pupils display impressive characteristics not always seen in the classroom environment.
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Chemistry Society
The department runs Chemistry Clubs where pupils have the opportunity to design and carry out experiments. They quite often produce impressive photos!
Lectures in the purpose built Chemistry lecture theatre and 6th form Chemistry Seminars in the 
Beale Centre promote the application of cognitive and higher order development. Reverend Ron Lancaster, founder of Kimbolton Fireworks company gave a memorable lecture of Fireworks. It proved so popular he was persuaded to return.
We enjoy close links with Bristol University Chemistry Department. Pupils attend seminars at Bristol and we enjoy lectures here at Blundell’s, including an excellent demonstration from Tim Harrison, the University’s Bristol ChemLabS School Teacher Fellow.
The Chemistry department thrives on facilitating the provision of opportunity for all. This positive learning environment provides ample opportunity for pupils to perform at a level of excellence which defines gifted and talented.