This summer term, thirty enthusiastic Year 12 Chemistry students from Xaverian College had the exciting opportunity to attend a Synthesis, Spectroscopy and Chromatography Day at the University of Manchester School of Chemistry.
The event gave students a valuable insight into university-level science, offering the chance to carry out undergraduate-style experiments in real university laboratories, explore cutting-edge facilities, and meet both undergraduate students and academic staff. It was a day filled with hands-on discovery, inspiration, and a little nostalgia for the Xaverian staff accompanying the students on the trip.
Chemistry teachers Asif Ahmed, Priya Nayar and Katy Webb, all University of Manchester Chemistry alumni, supported students throughout the day. For them, it was a welcome return to the labs where their own scientific journeys began.
“It was great to see the students use a range of practical techniques in the same laboratories where I completed my studies,” said Katy. “For our students to experience laboratories such as these is amazing and one that I never had before I went to university.”
Asif described the visit as “very nostalgic”, adding: “Having had such a fantastic experience myself during my studies, it was great to relive some of those moments with our students.”
Priya echoed the sentiment: “It was brilliant to get back into the labs and see some familiar faces in the School of Chemistry. It brought back fond memories of the challenge and excitement of university life.”
The day began with an introduction from Dr Frank Mair, Director of Chemistry Outreach and Senior Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry. Dr Mair gave an engaging overview of the synthesis the students would be conducting, specifically the reduction of a ketone, and explained the analytical techniques they would use to test their results, including Infrared Spectroscopy and Thin Layer Chromatography.
Donning bright yellow lab coats, students then entered the teaching labs to begin their experiments, each supported by a current chemistry undergraduate. This one-to-one interaction provided an invaluable opportunity to ask questions about university life and the course itself, from workloads to lab work and beyond.
After the practical session, students explored the university campus and were treated to a bespoke tour of several advanced research facilities, including the X-ray Crystal Diffraction, Mass Spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) labs. These visits brought the A Level curriculum to life, giving students a real-world context for the scientific techniques they study in the classroom.
The afternoon concluded with students analysing their own synthesised products using the techniques introduced earlier in the day. The experience gave them both academic insight and confidence in their practical abilities.
Year 12 students Layla, Tania, and Deborah praised the independence they were given in the lab and appreciated the chance to apply A Level theory in a university setting.
“The independence helped us gain confidence in our abilities,” they said. “It was great to use high-tech equipment and meet undergraduates from a wide range of backgrounds, it showed how diverse and exciting a future in chemistry could be.”
Many students left the event with a renewed enthusiasm for science, with some now strongly considering chemistry or lab-based degrees as a future path.
This trip is part of a wider programme of supra-curricular opportunities offered by the Xaverian Chemistry Department. Students have recently taken part in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, the Royal Society of Chemistry Schools’ Analyst Competition, and additional lab visits to universities and industry partners. These experiences are designed to challenge, inspire and prepare students for the next steps in their academic and scientific journeys.
Xaverian College is a leading sixth form in Manchester, dedicated to helping young people thrive academically and personally. To find out more, visit www.xaverian.ac.uk.