CLEAPSS Chemistry

Chemistry – Let's make it happen!

CLEAPSS provides guidance for teachers, technicians, science advisers and H&S officers on all aspects of practical work. We know that chemistry experiments can cause problems and activities may not 'work' as expected, or provide the effective learning opportunity that’s required. Sometimes, health and safety concerns are raised about the chemicals involved.

CLEAPSS works with suppliers and others to ensure that suitable chemicals and equipment are used in schools and we can also suggest ideas and innovative methods that might help you enhance practical chemistry in your school.

So, if you’re stuck, or need a bit of advice, get in touch by e-mail or 'phone and we'll do our best to help!

Latest news from CLEAPSS..

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Schools

Updated : 15th June 2022

Removed requirement to sanitise eye protection for schools in Northern Ireland, this matches latest guidance released for schools in Northern Ireland.

No other changes in guidance.

GL343 - Guide to doing practical work during the COVID-19 Pandemic – Science

Pupils visiting from primary schools

As we move into the season of pupils visiting their nearby secondary schools, we have produced a suite of new guidance to support teachers and technicians in what could and shouldn't be done in these sessions.

GL384 – Hosting primary aged children in a secondary lab

GL385 – Practical activities for primary aged children visiting a secondary school

Cheek cells, can we do it? YES WE CAN!

All practicals, including cheek cells, breathing or blowing activities and experiments with saliva should now be resumed as part of normal school practice.

However, if pupils are required to wear face coverings IN LESSONS then we recommend that check cells and activities are NOT carried out.

See GL343 – Guide to doing practical work during the COVID-19 pandemic for more details

Student Safety Sheets - 2022 Update

Are you about to print off a set of Student Safety Sheets?

Then you may want to wait, we are in the process of fully revising them and plan to publish this all new edition in the Autumn term.

HSE inspection of schools holding radioactive sources in science

The Health and Safety Executive’s Field Operations Division has contacted CLEAPSS (and SSERC for Scotland) to explain it is undertaking a programme of inspections across England, Wales and Scotland to see how schools manage the safe use and storage of the radioactive sources used in science teaching. An inspection programme may come as a surprise to some when you consider the relatively low risk of these sources compared to those used in universities and hospitals. But low risk does not mean exemption from inspection.

The HSE has accepted our offer to provide their inspectors with an introduction to the importance of radioactive sources in practical science, and to explain the approach taken in CLEAPSS Guide L93 on how to manage the sources safely and meet all the regulatory requirements.

You can read more about this on the HSE eBulletin page here.

Ahead of the inspection programme, our advice for schools in England and Wales is to go through the checklist 16.1 in the latest edition of L93 and make sure they have the appropriate arrangements in place.

If you have any questions regarding this, if possible please email science@cleapss.org.uk rather than calling the helpline, unless it is urgent, as we are in the middle of moving into our new offices at the moment.

Chemistry Resources

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PP081 - Fractional Distillation of Crude Oil

Crude oil refinery is a foundation industry, providing fuel products for heating and transport, and raw materials for many further industries, including polymer and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Fract.. more

PS063 - Manufacturers and suppliers of electronic balances

This leaflet is intended to give brief details only of the major manufacturers and suppliers of electronic balances suitable for use in science within secondary schools and colleges.

GL100 - School science technician services: a guide for senior managers

Outlines the work that science technicians do, the tasks which they should not, ideally, be given, and provides a pointer to the number of technicians needed in a department and to management issues w.. more

GL110 - CLP pictograms for chemical hazard labelling

This includes all the pictograms required by the Globally Harmonised System for chemical hazard labelling. A selection of large (A4) and small sized pictures for printing and use in schools

Testing for organic functional groups: unsaturation or double bonds

Testing for organic functional groups: unsaturation or double bonds

G030 - Successful Science Practicals

Straightforward advice on how to make sure your practical lessons work as you intend. Includes planning and preparing the activity, managing students, timing and equipment, and clearing away. Also inc.. more

GL316 - Using a tap funnel to separate immiscible liquids

Straightforward instructions on using a tap funnel, a piece of equipment used in several chemical preparations and investigations.

PX038 - Ethanoic and other monobasic acids, and their salts

Brief risk assessment guidance and experimental notes for a range of practical activities involving monobasic organic acids and their salts (Hazcards 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D).

G9 - Fume Cupboards in Schools

This guide is intended for those using, buying, or designing fume cupboards for schools and colleges. Information is provided on common problems, on choosing and installing appropriate cupboards an.. more

PS010 - The burning peanut investigation and allergy to nuts

This now inclduies some general information on food calorimetry as well as explaining something of nut allergy and a range of control measures which could be used to enable effective, relevant practic.. more

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