How we got on with the AS in 2001:
report from Taunton's College, Southampton

What we like most is the change made to Topic 1, to ease the pain of GCSE transition for our weakest students (4 grade Cs at GCSE).

My students loved the practical work in the course, especially those who struggled with the theory. Thanks to all concerned for the work that went into the experiments. We have tried a few of the microscale practicals, but although small is meant to be beautiful, and cheap, the students preferred the 'big bang' version of events.

The greatest challenge has been to get the students to achieve a reasonable mark in the design exercises - the skills being tested are not really acquired in the first two and a half terms.

It's been fun to teach - next time should be even better, when I find out just why He has the largest 2nd 1E.

Looking ahead to A2 we expect - nervous breakdowns as equilibria and entropy follow on from kinetics and Arrhenius!

Jenny Wells, Taunton's College Southampton