Chemistry

AIMS

  • To provide a worthwhile educational experience for all pupils at all levels.
  • To stimulate curiosity, interest, and enjoyment of Chemistry and to equip all students for further studies requiring a scientific background.
  • Develop safe experimental and investigative abilities.
  • Encourage effective communication and social skills in working with others.
  • To acquire a systematic body of Chemical knowledge, including the uses and limitations of Chemistry.
  • Develop an understanding of technological, economic, environmental, social, and ethical applications/implications of chemical processes as well prepared citizens in a scientific and technological world.

OBJECTIVES

Students should be able to:

  • Make use of existing scientific knowledge and ideas where appropriate (e.g. on transitioning from KS3).
  • Understand, recall and apply the knowledge set out in the syllabus for each year group and be well prepared to meet the demands of external examination boards.
  • Communicate chemical, physical, and biological observations, ideas, and arguments, using a range of scientific terms and vocabulary, both orally and in writing.
  • Solve qualitative and quantitative problems where appropriate.
  • Demonstrate a range of practical skills including:
    • following a detailed set of instructions
    • selection and use of apparatus with confidence
    • devising fair tests when working with several variables
    • observation, recording, and manipulation of results
    • concluding and evaluating including suggesting improvements.
  • Develop a degree of responsibility for their learning.
  • Be aware of Health and Safety implications for themselves and others.
  • Have the opportunity for the use of ICT as a source of information and as a tool in the collection and processing of results.

CURRICULUM

Chemistry A-Level AQA

Overview

The aim of the AQA (7404, 7405) course is to stimulate curiosity, interest, and enjoyment of Chemistry and to equip students for further studies requiring a scientific background by developing safe experimental and investigative abilities, and to acquire a systematic body of chemical knowledge, including the uses and limitations of Chemistry. AS Chemistry and A-level Chemistry are now de-coupled. None of the marks obtained for the AS qualification, if taken, are carried forward for the A-level qualification. This means that the A-level examinations will examine the full course after two years of learning.

Content

AS Course Content A-level Course Content
Physical Chemistry

Atomic structure

Calculations

Bonding

Energetics

Kinetics

Equilibria

Redox

 

Inorganic

The Periodic Table

Group 2

Group 7

 

 

Organic

Oil & Alkanes

Alkenes

Alcohols

Haloalkanes

Organic analysis

 Physical Chemistry

All of the AS content plus:

Thermodynamics

Rate equations

Equilibrium constants

Electrochemistry

Acids & bases

 

 

Inorganic

All of the AS content plus:

Period 3 elements

Transition metals

Reactions of inorganic ions

 

Organic

All of the AS content plus:

Isomerism

Carboxylic acids

Aromatic Chemistry

Amines

Polymers and Amino acids

Synthesis

Spectroscopy & Chromatography

Practical Skills

These are assessed by the teacher during lessons and laboratory books are moderated by an external assessor from the examination board. If a student passes the practical requirements of the course, they will receive a practical endorsement on their A-level certificate, in addition to their grade achieved in the theory. However, a student may still achieve a very high grade in the course without receiving practical endorsement if their practical work or record keeping is not of a satisfactory standard. Practical questions also appear on the written examinations, as such we do lots of practical work to ensure our students are fully prepared to answer such questions. 

FACILITIES & RESOURCES

Text Books

Course BOOK AUTHOR PUBLISHER
GCSE Chemistry AQA Chemistry Third Edition (online Kerboodle access) Ryan and Peacock Oxford
A level Chemistry AQA Chemistry A-Level Year 1 and AS paperback copies issued and online Kerboodle access

AQA Chemistry, A-Level paperback copies issued and  online Kerboodle access

Calculations for A level (optional)

Chemical databook

AQA Revision and Study Guides are available to order at cost price through Scopay

  

Lister & Renshaw

 

 

  

Oxford University Press

 

A selection of textbooks are also available for the pupils in the school library. A selection of reference books are available for staff in the Head of Faculty office.

A class set of Learning by Questions tablets is available to be booked by teachers.

Rooms

C3 is a small laboratory and is mainly used for 6th form groups or small groups in other years
Laboratories C1, C4, and C5 are larger and can be used with any year group.
C1 was refurbished in 1999 and the refurbishment of C4 was completed in 2004.
C6 is used by students for Directed Learning sessions and for after school revision.
The Chemistry Lecture Theatre, C2, has a demonstration bench and was refurbished in 2008.
A general ICT suite (ICT1), is also available (but this is a whole school resource and requires booking in advance).

2 preparation rooms (one for Years 10/11 & A level and one for years 7 – 9).
1 staff room, 1 Head of Faculty office.

1 flammable liquids store.

1 equipment storage area.

TRIPS & VISITS

  • Salters Analytical Chemistry competition
  • Chemistry in Action A-level conference
  • Visiting speakers e.g David Ellis from HW University (Shapes of molecules and their biological importance)
  • STEM challenge
  • Spectroscopy in a suitcase
  • Olympiads
  • Analyst A-level Chemistry Competitions
  • Flash Bang
  • Big Bang NEC

EXTRA CURRICULAR

  • Year 12 Drop in Clinic (Wednesday’s Week B after school in C2)
  • Year 13 Revision (Wednesday’s Week B after school in C4)
  • Chemistry Olympiad

For more information please contact:

Dr. ZM Saunders
Head of Science