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A level Specification and Curriculum Overview
A level Specification and Curriculum Overview
Course entry requirements
Course entry requirements
Students must have achieved a minimum of a grade 7,7 in GCSE Combined Science or a grade 7 in GCSE Chemistry.
A-level curriculum overview
A-level curriculum overview
Year 12 course - assessed at the end of Year 12 in a Mock examination
Autumn Term
Topic 1 – Atomic structure and the periodic table
Topic 2 – Bonding and structure
Topic 4 – Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
Topic 5 – Formulae, equations and amounts of substance
Spring Term
Topic 3 – Redox I
Topic 6.1 – Introduction to organic chemistry
Topic 6.2 – Hydrocarbons: alkanes and alkenes
Topic 6.3 – Halogenoalkanes and alcohols
Topic 7 – Modern analytical techniques I
Topic 8 – Energetics I
Topic 9 – Kinetics I
Topic 10 – Equilibrium I
Topic 11 - Equilibrium II
Summer Term
Topic 13.1 - Lattice Energy
Topic 13.2 - Entropy
Topic 12 - Acid-base equilibria
The Mock examination will also take place at the start of this term. The result of this, along with tests over the course of the year, will determine the indicative grade for UCAS. The final predicted grade will be based on this and the Topic 12 and Topic 13 tests, for which comprehensive summer work will be provided.
Year 13 course
Autumn Term
Topic 16 – Kinetics II
Topic 17.2 - Carbonyl compounds
Topic 17.1 – Chirality
Topic 17.3 - Carboxylic acids and their derivatives
Topic 19 – Modern analytical techniques II
Spring Term
Topic 14 – Redox II
Topic 15 – Transition metals
Topic 18.1 – Arenes – benzene compounds
Topic 18.2 - Amines, amides, amino acids and proteins
Topic 18.3 - Organic synthesis
Summer Term
Revision
Examination
A Level Paper 1 (9CHO/01) – Advanced Inorganic and Physical Chemistry 1 hour 45 mins 30%
A Level Paper 2 (9CH0/02) – Advanced Organic and Physical Chemistry 1 hour 45 mins 30%
A Level Paper 3 (9CH0/03) – General and Practical Principles in Chemistry 2 hour 30 mins 40%
Equipment and Expenses: The textbooks cost approximately £40 each and a laboratory coat and googles approximately £30.
Students are also recommended to join RSC ChemNet – the Royal Society of Chemistry network for 16 to 18 year olds for online access to the latest advances in Chemistry.
Departmental Support: Chemistry very much builds on itself as a subject and students are encouraged to ask as soon as they are unsure.
All four members of staff are happy to arrange to help students during breaks or lunchtimes, even if they’re taught by another member of staff.
Ms Shah also runs drop-in-clinics on Tuesday lunchtimes.
There are also two timetabled periods each week for students who need regular support.
Extra-curricular: There are several opportunities for A level students, supported by the Department:
KS3 Science Club: This is student-run with some support from Ms Shah and involves a weekly fun practical activity.
ChemSoc: This is student-run with some support from Ms Shah and involves a weekly presentation and when possible practical demonstrations.
RSC Analysts competition: Ms Shah put on the oppertunity for students to compete in this competition during the summer term. This competition gives students a chance to demonstrate and expand on their existing chemistry knowledge, skills and aptitude for analytical science through practical analytical experiments based on relevant societal or industrial problems. Each compeition aims to privde some tasks which are relatively familiar to the students such as titrations and other which are likely to be unfamiliar such as chromatographic separations or gravimetric analysis.
Chemistry olympiad: Takes place in the spring term where students take part in a competition designed to challenge, inspire and push themsleves further and excel in the chemistry field. Budding chemists will develop critical problem-solving skills, learn to think more creatively and get a chance to test their knowledge in new, real-world situations.
Mentoring: This can be in a primary school or one to one with a GCSE pupil.
Chemistry in Action: Students have the opportunity to attend this conference in Year 12.
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