14 May 2026

Clarendon Sixth Form College students excel in national chemistry competition, bringing home 12 awards.

A-level chemistry students recently took part in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s UK chemistry olympiad, a prestigious national exam, open to students aged 16-19 across the country.

The olympiad, which takes place annually, consists of a written test which challenges students to use critical thinking and creative ideas to solve problems based on real world situations.

Students who took part in the olympiad were awarded an impressive four silver and eight bronze certificates.

The UK chemistry olympiad is just one of many activities which students take part in whilst studying at Clarendon Sixth Form College, as part of the ‘Futures Programme’ of tailored support and enrichment. Futures aims to provide the best possible chance of success across each pathway of study.

Lisa Clayton, A-level chemistry teacher at Clarendon Sixth Form College, said: “My students studying chemistry are typically high attaining and I value the olympiad as an opportunity to stretch and challenge them beyond the A-level specification. It raises aspirations and inspires curiosity by encouraging students to apply their knowledge in unfamiliar contexts, developing problem solving, resilience and independent thinking. Overall, I see the competition as a valuable enrichment opportunity that supports both academic extension and a genuine enthusiasm for chemistry.”

Dylan Freeman, A-level Chemistry student at Clarendon Sixth Form College and silver certificate winner, said: “The chemistry olympiad helps you become more comfortable with challenging and unfamiliar question styles, so standard A-level questions feel more straightforward. This makes it excellent preparation for my chemistry exams.”

To find out more about A-level courses and the Futures Programme at Clarendon Sixth Form College, visit www.clarendon.ac.uk