Sometimes the chemistry is theoretical but, more often, it is presented in a context, within a practical problem. All pupils are taught, throughout these years, to develop the practical skills which will be part of the assessment in the Fifth year. The syllabus is broadly in line with the Common Entrance syllabus and the National Curriculum Keystage Three. Practical skills, e.g. planning, obtaining evidence, analysing and evaluating evidence are introduced, with the emphasis on learning through experiment by developing skills in making and recording careful observations of heating metals and salts and reducing oxides. A weekly Chemistry Club allows pupils to develop their own investigations.
Teams compete in the Festival of Chemistry competition in alternate years.