How we got on with the A2 in 2002: report from Wellington School, Somerset

What students have most enjoyed about the Nuffield Chemistry A2 are the abstract concepts in Entropy, the scope for discussion and diversion, and the content of Unit 4 in general.

What students have found most challenging has been the investigation - lack of imagination in the topics chosen, and the development from GCSE was difficult. It was also difficult to get through all the work.

The greatest challenge for teachers has been the impossibility of finding details about the vinegar investigations.

When teaching A2 chemistry next time I shall:
- issue practical record books to enable the general competence mark to be assessed more easily
- shift 12.5 aspirin to Topic 15 and do it after esters
- try to find a time for the investigation which does not coincide with coursework in other subjects.

And another thing - the exam period after Christmas disrupted the teaching to such an extent that it was difficult to complete the A2 course.

Ed Whall