As part of the super-curricular opportunities offered through Chemistry at Charterhouse, our pupils are invited each year to take on the formidable challenge of the Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad. This prestigious competition pushes the most talented school-aged chemists across the UK far beyond the scope of the IBDP and A Level syllabuses, encouraging creative problem-solving and deep scientific thinking.
This year, Charterhouse achieved its best results in six years, with 38 pupils participating and an exceptional 29 of them earning medals. Among these were three Gold certificates – awarded to the top 8.2% of the 16 000 entrants nationwide – a remarkable feat that places our pupils among the very best in the country. Congratulations to Suoxi (Y13), who achieved the highest score in the School, with Ian and Aidan also securing Gold awards.
In addition, 11 pupils earned Silver and 15 received Bronze, reflecting the strength of Chemistry at Charterhouse.
We were especially proud of the strong participation from Year 12 pupils, many of whom tackled unfamiliar content with curiosity and resilience. Special mention goes to Mateo and Larry, who achieved the top Year 12 results – an impressive indicator of future success.
These results reflect not only the talent and dedication of our pupils, but also the commitment of the Chemistry Department in nurturing a passion for the subject beyond the classroom.
Taking part in the Chemistry Olympiad was a brilliant opportunity to stretch myself beyond the A Level syllabus and explore the subject in a much more challenging and imaginative way. It gave me the chance to push beyond the boundaries of the school syllabus and think critically while applying what I knew in unfamiliar contexts. The whole process gave me confidence in my ability to tackle complex ideas and deepened my appreciation for the subject, and while tough at times, it was incredibly satisfying. More than anything, it was exciting to challenge myself and see just how far I could stretch my understanding beyond what I thought I was capable of.
Ayah (Year 12)
I am very glad that I had the opportunity to take part in Chemistry Olympiad. It was an eye-opening experience, as it introduced me to new organic mechanisms and also allowed me to apply my knowledge to totally unknown contexts. The experience was challenging yet intriguing as it pushed me to think ‘out of the box'.
Ian (Year 13)
