A Level Chemistry students at Xaverian College have once again excelled in the prestigious Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, taking on some of the most demanding Chemistry questions and gaining experience at the highest level against tough national competition.
The competition, organised by the University of Cambridge, is designed by an experienced team of Cambridge teachers and university chemists. It deliberately takes top performing students well beyond the A Level syllabus, encouraging them to approach unfamiliar problems with the curiosity, creativity and analytical thinking expected at university. The challenge takes the form of a written paper which students completed at the College, drawing on advanced Chemistry theory with no prior knowledge of the specific topics involved. Students who achieved strong grades in their end-of-year exams were invited to take part, preparing themselves by working through past papers ahead of the challenge.
This year’s results are the best yet for Xaverian, with a record 29 students gaining certificates, including 1 Gold, 10 Silver and 18 Copper awards. This reflects the ambition, hard work and enthusiasm of our Chemistry students, who competed against over 15,000 students from across the country.
Dara Adedayo, former student of St Anne’s RC Voluntary High School and currently studying A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology, said: “I’m really glad I took part because it was a good chance to challenge myself and try something different from what we normally do in lessons. The questions made me think in a different way and showed me that Chemistry is more than just remembering what you’ve learnt. I enjoyed the experience, and getting the Copper Award was a nice bonus and made me feel proud of myself.
“Taking part has made me more confident in Chemistry and encouraged me to challenge myself more and look for opportunities outside of normal lessons. I think it will be useful for me going forward, especially as I’m part of the College’s Medics, Dentists and Vets programme and interested in a career in medicine, because it’s helped me develop my problem-solving and application skills, and made me feel more confident in the subject.”
Opportunities such as the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge are an important part of studying at Xaverian. They allow students to explore their subject beyond the classroom, develop valuable problem-solving skills and gain an exciting insight into what studying Chemistry at university could be like. Taking part is also a great addition to students’ personal statements and College references when applying to university, with many previous students going on to secure places on Degree programmes at Oxbridge and Russell Group universities.
Faran Saddique Nawaz from Burnage Academy for Boys is also studying Biology, Chemistry and Psychology at Xaverian, spoke of being pleased to receive a Copper Award, said of the competition: “Participating allowed me to recognise that I am capable of engaging with Chemistry beyond the specification we are following on the Chemistry A Level. The result therefore became less about the award itself and more about challenging the limitations I had placed on my own abilities. Rather than seeing unfamiliar material as evidence that I am not capable of understanding, I now see it as an opportunity to extend my knowledge.
“I intend to study Medicine at university and ultimately pursue a career in medicine. My interest in Biology and Chemistry has developed into a particular fascination with biochemistry, especially the molecular mechanisms underlying human physiology. I hope to carry this scientific curiosity into medicine, using a rigorous understanding of biological and biochemical processes to contribute to patient care.”
Asif Ahmed, Chemistry Teacher at Xaverian, said: “We are exceptionally proud of our students, as this was an incredibly challenging paper that would test even the brightest university students. Competitions like this push them beyond the classroom and give them a genuine taste of what studying Chemistry at university is really like, which is important for our students as they start to make decisions about their next steps.”
For students who are passionate about science and want to challenge themselves, the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge is just one example of how Xaverian helps them reach their potential and fulfil their ambitions.