We endeavour to provide a pathway for our students to explore and understand the wonderment and awe of the everyday through the chemical sciences. To develop transferable skills, students require to question evidence and draw conclusions based upon a mixture of logical, practical and theoretical based activities.
Chemistry will inspire the next generation of learners to be able to see the world around them in a new light by encouraging them to discover, appreciate and see their world through the eyes of a scientist. Through their work, we encourage students to take their place in an ever increasing technological society.
Chemistry is offered as:
Students at Key Stage 4 have two periods a week studying the AQA GCSE Chemistry qualification
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 | |
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Year 10 | Atomic structure and the periodic table | Structure bonding and the properties of matter | The Atmosphere | Sustainable development | Energy Changes | Chemical quantities and calculations |
Year 11 | Chemical changes | The rate and extent of chemical change | Hydrocarbons | Chemical analysis | Revision |
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Students will explore the basic ideas of chemistry looking at the foundations of GCSE work of Atomic Structure and Bonding within the first 2 terms. After this the students will then consider some applications of the work by looking at the atmosphere and the sustainable development of the world around us through a chemical perspective. In terms 5 and terms 6 the basic ideas previously explored will then be dealt with in more detail where the ideas of energy and chemical calculations will then be explored. At the end of each topic knowledge is tested via an End of Topic test as well as mini assessments that will go on through the topic. These tests will be based around past paper questions about the topic, so students are introduced to exam technique, misconceptions and allows for time to fill in any gaps in knowledge. At the end of Yr 10 there will be an exam that will test all of the components studied that year.
In Year 11 the students will study the final four components of the syllabus in preparation for their forthcoming exams in May and June. The first 2 components look at the aspect of chemical change as well as the kinetics involved in chemical reactions. They will then finish off by considering the chemistry of hydrocarbons and chemical analysis. In these topics, the ideas contained in the other topics are all brought together.
All of the topics taught in Yr 10 and Yr 11 will have examples of industrial contexts to ensure that the student understands how this relates to the world of work within the chemical industry.
The text book used for the course is the c=Collins AQA approved AQA GCSE (9-1) Chemistry student book.
We also recommend the following guides to help students with their studies:
Grade 9-1 GCSE Chemistry AQA Complete Revision & Practice with Online Edition (CGP GCSE Chemistry 9-1 Revision) – ISBN 1782945849
Chemistry 9-1 AQA Practical book – This is available from school and students will be notified when these are available
Online resources
BBC Bytesize AQA GCSE – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/z8xtmnb
www.senecalearning.co.uk – Where students can test their knowledge and revise the concepts being taught.
www.freesciencelessons.co.uk – Students can access short clips that explain concepts via a short video.
Physical: Amount of substance, atomic structure, bonding, energetics, kinetics, chemical equilibria, redox reactions, thermo dynamics, rate of reactions, electro chemistry, acids and bases, periodicity, group 2, group 7, period 3, transition metals, reactions of ions in aqueous solutions.
Organic chemistry: alkanes, halogenoalkanes, alkenes, alcohols, organic analysis, isomers, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, aromatic chemistry, amines, polymers, amino acids and DNA, NMR and chromatography.
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
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Year 12 | Physical – atomic structure and amounts of substances | Physical – Bonding and energetics | Physical – Kinetics
| Physical – Equilibria and redox | Inorganic - Periodicity | Inorganic – periodicity continued |
Organic – Introduction of organic chemistry and Alkanes | Organic – Alkane continued and Halogenoalkane. | Organic – Halogenoalkane continued, Alkenes, Alcohols | Organic – Alcohol continued, organic analysis | Organic – Organic analysis | Revision and review | |
Year 13 | Physical – Thermodynamics | Physical – Rate equations | Physical – Equilibria, Electrode potential and electrochemical cells | Physical – Acids and bases Inorganic – period 3 | Inorganic – transition metals | Exams |
Organic - Isomerism, Aldehydes and ketones, Carboxylic acids and derivatives | Organic – Acylation, electrophilic substitution | Organic – Amines, Polymers, amino acids, proteins and DNA | Organic – Polymers continued, organic synthesis and NMR | Organic – chromatography Revision and review | Exams |
Paper 1 – 2hrs (35%) 105 marks of short and long questions
Physical chemistry and inorganic chemistry and relevant practical skills
Paper 2 – 2 hrs (35%) 105 marks of short and long questions
Relevant physical chemistry, organic chemistry and relevant practical skills
Paper 3 – 2 hrs (30%) 40 marks on practical technique and data analysis, 20 marks across whole specification, 30 marks on multiple choice any content and any practical skills.
Practical assessment:
12 required practical activities, covering a range of skills and keeping an appropriate record of this work. Teachers assess students against 11 common practical assessment criteria, which are met to achieve an overall ‘pass’ grade.
Biology | Psychology | Maths | Physics | Geography |
Students at Key Stage follow the IB Chemistry course as part of the IB Diploma. This course is available at both the standard and Higher levels
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 | |
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Year 12 | Stoichiometric relationships and Atomic Structure | Periodicity and Organic Chemistry | Chemical bonding and structure. Energetics and Thermochemistry | Acids and bases. Also Chemical kinetics | Redox processes and Equilibrium | IA practical and measurement, data processing and analysis |
Year 13 | Further Organic chemistry and Electrons in atoms | Energy cycles and Entropy. As well as further equilibria and advanced bonding | Advanced acids and bases
Electrochemical cells | Revision |
In Year 12, the students will study the standard level topics within the chemistry syllabus which look at the basic ideas within Chemistry. The content is split between two teachers and each topic runs concurrently between the two members of staff. There is an end of topic test completed based around past papers questions as well as mini assessments within the individual lessons that will focus upon exam technique and misconceptions. Time is then spent with each class rectifying any errors. The department also provides a weekly drop in clinic for students to attend for support when required. In Yr 12 the students will also complete their IA which is a piece of investigative work completed around a topic or idea of their choosing. In this term the students will also study the option which at Rochester Grammar we study the Biochemistry option.
In Year 13 students are able to build upon the knowledge gained in Year 12, where the higher concepts of the standard level topics are taught. In these lessons, the information studied in Yr 12 is developed with more advanced ideas being considered. These topics are also assessed via an end of topic test which will use past paper questions to assess the knowledge, improve exam technique as well as identify any misconceptions that the students may have.
The Chemistry course is assessed in two ways. There is the IA component which is 20% of the final mark and there are 3 examinations:
Standard Level
Paper 1 – 35 Multiple choice questions (without a calculator) – 45 mins SL – 20%
Paper 2 – Structured examination questions 1.15hrs SL – 36%
Paper 3 – Data and the options paper – 1 hr SL – 24%
Higher Level
Paper 1 – 40 Multiple choice questions (without a calculator) – 1Hr HL – 20%
Paper 2 – Structured examination questions 2.15hrs HL – 40%
Paper 3 – Data and the options paper – 1.15hrs HL – 20%
The textbook provided is Pearson Baccalaureate Higher Level Chemistry Starter Pack (Pearson International Baccalaureate Diploma: International Editions)
Calculations in AS / A Level Chemistry – Jim Clark ISBN 0582411270 – This provides lots of examples of calculations with how to guides an excellent resource
Online resources
www.chemguide.co.uk – This website contains lots and lots of very clear explanations for the topics being taught
www.docbrown.info – Another excellent online explanation website with examples for students to try.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs: Global warming and climate change – analysing different peoples values , needs and beliefs. Evidence for the age of the Earth