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..

The Science Teaching Survey 2026

The Science Teaching Survey 2026 is open! If you work in education, you know the challenges better than anyone – so we want to hear directly from you.

Take 15 minutes to complete the survey. Your answers will tell us what to focus on

https://schoolzone.questionpro.com/rc25f8?custom1=CLEAPSS

Product Recalls

CLEAPSS is aware of an issue of Asbestos being present in a Hobbycraft and other manufacturers sand based products.

These are commercially available products rather than a specialist school science/DT product. However, we are aware that some schools may have these products.

If you do have these products you should follow the advice given in the below link.

OPSS - Safety Alerts

Copper Sulfate

CLEAPSS has recently received multiple Helplines about incidents with copper sulfate.

This includes situations where pupils are deliberately consuming Copper Sulfate, please ensure you enforce the no eating / drinking rules in your labs and also are aware of how to deal with emergencies.

E-cards : How to deal with lab emergencies

No eating or drinking guidance

Please also review the updated Hazcard before using copper sulfate.

2025 Hazcard updates includes and update to the safety advice for copper sulfate. Hazcard 027C - Copper Sulfate

PP027 - Making copper sulfate crystals

A quick and safe method for preparing hydrated copper sulfate crystals and beautiful blue crystals may be obtained within 30 minutes.

LabAid

Do you have excess equipment taking up space ?

Or looking to help support practical work ?

Then have a look at the work that LabAid does.

The Practical Biologist - a hands-on biology booklet

We are proud to be part of this from Darwin Biological

New Resource for UK Schools!

Darwin Biological has launched The Practical Biologist - a hands-on biology booklet created with expert partners to inspire the next generation of scientists.

Copies are arriving in 4,500 UK secondary schools this week, and it’s free to view online: www.darwinbiological.co.uk
Packed with practical tips, experiments, and free resources from leading organisations.

Designed to make biology exciting, accessible & sustainable for every classroom.

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

ASE Lab Design Gallery

A portfolio of designs of school science laboratories, by Andy Piggott for the ASE

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.

CLEAPSS - Teachers H&S Self Study Online - Session 1 - Task

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).

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