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King Edward VI Handsworth School,
Rose Hill Road, Birmingham B21 9AR
T: 0121 554 2342
E: office@han.kevibham.org
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In this section
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Chemistry is a fascinating subject, which allows students to investigate and understand the world around them. The department aims to stimulate students’ curiosity and cultivate a life-long interest in the central science by looking at how our everyday lives are touched by Chemistry. For example, each time we light a match, cook a meal or simply breathe in and out, we are performing chemical reactions. Our homes are manufactured using materials obtained by chemical processes and we use chemistry to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems, including how to feed our growing population and how to take positive steps to tackle climate change.
Chemistry is not studied in isolation; students will often find topics overlapping with biology and medicine, with physics and engineering, and with geology and earth science.
It is a challenging yet rewarding subject to study, as demonstrated by the popularity of the subject at Key Stage 5. Many of our students go onto read Chemistry or chemistry related courses, including Pharmacy, Dentistry and Medicine, at the UK’s top universities as well as non-related courses such as Law and Accountancy.
Year 7
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year | Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
Particles
Students learn that matter is composed of particles which can be arranged in different ways. Mixtures Students learn about mixtures and different ways of separating them. Acids and alkalis Students begin studying chemical reactions by focusing on the reactions of acids and alkalis. They build on chemical reactions in year 8. |
Topic 1- Introduction to chemistry in the lab
Safety in the lab + considering apparatus Practice using practical equipment Variables and graph plotting Intro to using a Bunsen burner & heating water investigation Topic 2- The particle model Properties of states of matter Particle diagrams Melting and freezing to include cooling stearic acid investigation Comparing boiling and evaporation theory |
Topic 2- The particle model continued
Rate of evaporation investigation Condensing, predicting states and reviewing state change Diffusion investigation Inside particles Topic 3- Separating mixtures Pure substances & separating mixtures intro Soluble or not? Solubility investigation Separating salt from rock salt practical investigation Distillation Chromatography investigation |
Topic 4- Acids and alkalis
Introduction to chemical reactions Acids, alkalis and indicators Neutralisation Making a salt More naming salts, chemical formulae and word equations |
Assessment Pieces
Assessment covering an introduction to the lab and the particle model |
Assessment Pieces
Assessment covering the separation of mixtures along with term 1 content. |
Assessment Pieces
Assessment covering acids and alkalis along with term 1 and 2 content. |
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Key vocabulary | particles, states of matter, state change, diffusion | mixtures, solutions, solubility, filtration, evaporation, distillation, chromatography | acids, alkalis, indicators, neutralisation, salts, word equations |
Outside the taught curriculum | For KS3 level videos on KS3 Chemistry….
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheScienceBreak/videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKZ-GrkZImATnSrPU-JN4_Q/videos For quizzes on KS3 Chemistry… https://docbrown.info/ks3chemistry/ks3chemistry.htm For revision websites on KS3 Chemistry… |
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Suggested reading | Kerboodle pupil book 1 |
Year 8
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year | Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
Building blocks of matter and the periodic table
Mass conservation and types of reaction Reactivity of metals Rocks |
Topic 1- Building blocks of matter and the periodic table
Atoms, elements and the periodic table Making compounds Names and formulae of compounds Linking formulae to particle diagrams and states of matter Group 1 Group 7 to include halogen displacement practical + analysis of practical Group 0 |
Topic 2- Mass conservation and types of reaction
Conservation of mass investigation with practice questions Balancing equations introduction + practice Combustion of hydrocarbon fuels introduction Fuels investigation Thermal decomposition of metal carbonates investigation + analysis Displacement investigation + analysis |
Topic 3- Reactivity of metals
Chemical reactions of metals and non-metals Metals and oxygen Metals and water Topic 4- Rocks Earth’s structure Sedimentary rocks Igneous rocks Metamorphic rocks Rock cycle |
Assessment Pieces
Topic 1- Building blocks of matter and the periodic table |
Assessment Pieces
Content covered in topic 1 along with content covered in Topic 2- Mass conservation and types of reaction |
Assessment Pieces
Content covered in topics 1 & 2 along with content covered in Topic 3- Reactivity of metals |
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Key vocabulary | Element, compound, formula, periodic table, alkali metals, halogens, noble gases | Mass conservation, combustion, thermal decomposition, exothermic, endothermic, combustion | Displacement, metal extraction, recycling, climate change, global warming |
Outside the taught curriculum | For KS3 level videos on KS3 Chemistry….
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheScienceBreak/videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKZ-GrkZImATnSrPU-JN4_Q/videos For quizzes on KS3 Chemistry… https://docbrown.info/ks3chemistry/ks3chemistry.htm For revision websites on KS3 Chemistry… |
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Suggested reading | Kerboodle pupil book 2 |
Year 9
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year | Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
– Atomic structure and the periodic table
– Reactivity of metals & Reactions of acids – The Earth’s atmosphere and its environment – The rate and extent of chemical change |
Atomic structure and the periodic table
Review from y8 of particles, naming compounds, balancing equations Separating mixtures Scientific models of the atom Atomic structure Comparing sizes of atoms using nm Isotopes and calculating Ar Electron configurations Forming ions Formulae of ionic compounds Ions and the periodic table Development of the periodic table The halogens introduction Halogen displacement Alkali metals & explaining trends in reactivity Transition metals |
Reactivity of metals & Reactions of acids
Investigating reactivity series by observing reactions of metals with acid & water Corrosion of metals including rusting investigation & preventing corrosion Investigating reactivity series using displacement reactions Extraction of metals (including phytomining and bioleaching) and reduction acids, alkalis and the pH scale Acids + soluble bases (metal hydroxides) using a titration Acids + insoluble bases (metal oxides & metal carbonates) |
Chemistry of the atmosphere
The Earth’s atmosphere Greenhouse effect Climate change Atmosphere pollutants from fuels Properties and effects of atmospheric pollutants The carbon footprint and its reduction + review of topic Using the Earth’s resources and sustainable development (inc. order of magnitude calculations) Potable water and Waste water treatment LCA Ways of reducing the use of resources The rate and extent of chemical change Measuring rates of reaction practical + calculating rates of reaction Collision theory and planning an investigation (effect of temperature on rate of reaction) effect of temperature on rate of reaction Investigating the effect of concentration on rate of reaction Investigating the effect of surface area on rate of reaction Investigating the effect of catalysts on rate of reaction |
Assessment Pieces
Assessment 1 will cover atoms, ions and the periodic table |
Assessment Pieces
Assessment 2 will cover reactivity of metals and reactions of acids as well as assessment 1 content. |
Assessment Pieces
Assessment 3 will cover environmental chemistry as well as assessments 1 and 2 content. |
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Key vocabulary | |||
Outside the taught curriculum | Students can find out more about the development of the atomic model and the periodic table by watching related videos on youtube and reading articles on the internet. | ||
Suggested reading | GCSE Chemistry textbook provided to all students
GCSE Chemistry textbook on Kerboodle Websites such as chemrevise and gcse bitesize |
Year 10
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year | Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
– Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
– Quantitative chemistry – Electrolysis – Chemical cells – The rate and extent of chemical change – Exothermic and endothermic reactions – Dynamic equilibrium |
Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
Review of atoms and ions from year 9 Ionic bonding Ionic compounds and their properties Covalent bonding Properties of small molecules Energy changes during state change Giant covalent structures and other allotropes of carbon Types of material – metals, alloys, ceramics and composites Nanoparticles intro and uses of nanoparticles Quantitative chemistry part 1 Mass conservation, mass changes when product is a gas and balancing equations practice RFM Avogadro constant & deducing the link between moles, mass & RFM Molar ratios, unknown masses & % yields Identifying excess and limiting reactants Using masses & moles to balance equations atom economy |
Electrolysis
Intro – looking at electrolysis of CuCl2 (aq) & 1/2 eqns Electrolysis of Al2O3 and other molten ionic compounds Electrolysis of NaCl (aq) & CuSO4 (aq) Determining products & writing half equations for any other liquid or solution Ionic equations Overall equations from half eqns and vice-versa Quantitative chemistry part 2 Calculating concentrations in mol/dm3 & g/dm3 & titrations intro Titration practical to work out reacting volumes and form a dry soluble salt Titrations practical and calculation Volumes of gases |
Chemical cells
Cells and batteries Fuel cells Energy changes and equilibria Exo and endo reaction definitions, uses of exo and endo rxns The effect of changing variables on energy release (required practical 4) Reaction profiles for exo reactions + endo reactions (including effect of a catalyst) bond energy calculations Energy changes during reversible reactions Dynamic equilibrium Factors affecting position of eqm: temperature, concentration, pressure The Haber process Making fertilisers in industry and the lab |
Assessment Pieces
Assessment 1 will cover quantitative chemistry as well as year 9 content |
Assessment Pieces
Assessment 2 will cover electrolysis cells and all previous content |
Assessment Pieces
Assessment 3 will cover all year 10 content |
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Key vocabulary | |||
Outside the taught curriculum | Students can find out more about rates of reaction and electrolysis by watching related videos on youtube and reading articles on the internet. | ||
Suggested reading | GCSE Chemistry textbook provided to all students
GCSE Chemistry textbook on Kerboodle Websites such as chemrevise and gcse bitesize |
Year 11
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year | Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
Organic chemistry
Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium Organic chemistry part 2 Chemical analysis Using resources |
Organic chemistry part 1
Introducing hydrocarbons Crude oil and comparing properties of hydrocarbons Fractional distillation Cracking and combustion followed by atmospheric pollutatnts if not covered in y10 Reactions of alkenes Addition polymerisation Thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium Energy changes during reversible reactions Dynamic equilibrium Factors affecting position of eqm: temperature, concentration, pressure The Haber process + production and uses of NPK fertilisers |
Organic chemistry part 2
Alcohols Carboxylic acids Condensation polymerisation Natural polymers including amino acids and DNA Chemical analysis Pure substances and formulations Chromatography- required practical 6, home learning task- Identification of common gases Flame tests, instrumental methods and flame emission spectroscopy Forming metal hydroxide ppts Testing for anions Required practical- Identifying the ions in an unknown ionic compound |
Using resources
Using the Earth’s resources and sustainable development inc. order of magnitude calculations Potable water and Waste water treatment Required practical – analysis and purification of water samples from different sources Recap displacement from y9 and alternative methods and extracting metals LCA Ways of reducing the use of resources Corrosion of metals inc. rusting practical Preventing corrosion Alloys as useful materials Ceramics and composites |
Assessment Pieces
Paper 1 mock exam |
Assessment Pieces
Review 2 test on paper 1 content + content covered since |
Assessment Pieces
Paper 2 mock exam |
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Key vocabulary | |||
Outside the taught curriculum | The impact on human activities on the earth and its atmosphere is regularly discussed as a current topic on the news. Students can read the latest news articles to find out more about this topic. | ||
Suggested reading | GCSE Chemistry textbook provided to all students
GCSE Chemistry textbook on Kerboodle Websites such as chemrevise and gcse bitesize |
Year 12
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year | Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
Acquiring knowledge and understanding of year 1 physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry topics | Teacher 1
3.1.2 Amount of substance 3.1.4 Energetics 3.2.2 Group 2 Teacher 2 3.1.1 Atomic structure + relevant 3.2.1 periodicity 3.1.3 Bonding + relevant 3.2.1 periodicity 3.2.4 properties of period 3 elements & oxides |
Teacher 1
3.1.7 Oxidation, reduction and redox equations 3.1.5 Kinetics 3.1.9 Rate equations Teacher 2 3.3.1 Intro to organic chemistry 3.3.2 Alkanes 3.3.3 Haloalkanes 3.3.4 Alkenes 3.3.5 Alcohols |
Teacher 1
3.1.6 Chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier’s principle 3.1.10 Kp 3.3.10 Aromatic chemistry 3.3.11 amines Teacher 2 3.3.6 Analysis 3.3.7 Isomerism 3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones 3.3.9 Carboxylic acid derivatives |
Assessment Pieces
Assessments on: GCSE content required for A Level Atomic structure Amount of substance |
Assessment Pieces
Structure, bonding and periodicity Group 2, halogens and redox |
Assessment Pieces
End of year exams |
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Key vocabulary | |||
Outside the taught curriculum | Students can watch videos on the Khan Academy to further their understanding and find out explanations that are often more detailed than those covered in the taught curriculum. | ||
Suggested reading | Chemguide- this website often breaks topics down very well and sometimes explains concepts in a greater depth than the taught curriculum.
A Level Chemistry textbook A Level Chemistry Calculations by Jim Clark |
Year 13
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year | Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
Acquiring knowledge and understanding of year 2 physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry topics | Teacher 1
3.1.12 Acids and bases 3.1.11 Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells Teacher 2 3.3.11 Amines 3.3.12 Polymers 3.3.13 Amino acids, proteins and DNA 3.3.14 Organic synthesis 3.3.16 Chromatography 3.3.15 NMR |
Teacher 1
3.1.8 Thermodynamics Teacher 2 3.2.5 Transition metals |
Teacher 1
Some of 3.2.5 and/or 3.2.6 such as catalysis and VOS with redox titrations Teacher 2 3.2.6 Reactions of ions in aqueous solution |
Assessment Pieces
2nd year content covered in year 12 Acids and bases Acids and bases After October half term organic chemistry test |
Assessment Pieces
Paper 1 and 2 mock exams |
Assessment Pieces
Paper 3 mock exam |
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Key vocabulary | |||
Outside the taught curriculum | Students can watch videos on the Khan Academy to further their understanding and find out explanations that are often more detailed than those covered in the taught curriculum. | ||
Suggested reading | Chemguide- this website often breaks topics down very well and sometimes explains concepts in a greater depth than the taught curriculum.
A Level Chemistry textbook A Level Chemistry Calculations by Jim Clark |
Staff
We have a group of four highly trained and experienced specialist teachers, who are easy to approach and have excellent subject knowledge. The department is supported ably by a full time laboratory technician.
Additional Information
What your daughter may do in lessons
The lessons are fast paced and packed with lots of activities. All students are encouraged to participate in all areas of each lesson. Students work independently or in small groups to complete the tasks with an emphasis on building learning habits.
How your daughter’s progress will be assessed.
A variety of assessment techniques are employed by the Chemistry department. Constructive feedback is an essential way to help students improve and this is given regularly as verbal and written feedback during class tasks and homework assignments. Girls are encouraged to reflect on their progress and take action after each summative assessment period. There is also an end-of-year examination.
Year 8
In Year 8 pupils have one chemistry lesson each week.
The Year 8 scheme focuses on three main topics: The building blocks of the earth, Chemical reactions and The Earth and its atmosphere.
The priority in year 8 is to lay down the foundations required to begin GCSE Chemistry in year 9. Pupils will build up their knowledge and understanding as well as develop the skills required to start the course.
Throughout Year 8, each section of study ends with an end of topic test; these grades are used in report writing. Practical activities are monitored and feedback given. In addition, home learning and class work is assessed and contribute to our growing picture of each student’s current effort and achievement. From all these aspects of assessment the girls receive suggestions about how to improve and how they might stretch themselves further in Chemistry.
GCSE (Y9-11)
In Year 9 students begin their GCSE studies following the AQA 8461 specification. This is a new specification which is assessed through two written papers both taken at the end of Year 11.
The focus is on studying processes, making links and applying knowledge rather than rote-learning facts.
There is also a great emphasis on Practical skills is made through 12 required practical investigations which are carried out during the course and these are assessed within the written papers.
Post 16 (A Level)
We follow the AQA A Level Chemistry specification 7405 which consists of 3 written papers at the end of Year 13. Students complete 12 required practical investigations, for which they have to meet 5 competencies and the skills gained are assessed in their written papers.
Students wishing to take the AS qualification follow the same programme of study as those studying the full A level in the first year, but they are assessed through two written papers at the end of Year 12.
Throughout the course the girls have nine lessons a fortnight, two of which form a double lesson that is usually used for practical work. During the course they are assessed by both their teachers. Their contribution to class work and discussions is commented upon, home learning is regularly marked and improvements suggested. Practical skills are observed and outcomes monitored. Individual tasks such as topic tests as well as mock exams also allow the girls and their teachers to be aware of current levels of attainment.
How can parents help?
There is a list below of different ways you can encourage your daughter to achieve highly and develop a wider knowledge of the subject:
Where next
There are many possible education and career progression pathways within the field of Art and Design. Here are just a few examples:
Fine art practitioner, painting, print making and sculpture | |
Advertising | Web design |
Illustration | Fashion design |
Textile design | Jewellery and other metal work |
Product design | Art and artefact restoration |
Art historian | Gallery and museum curatorship |
Architecture | Art therapy |
Teaching and lecturing | Graphic design |
Useful links
There are some links below that you may find useful when you are studying GCSE or A Level Chemistry.
GCSE
GCSE Bitesize
GCSE Bitesize
GCSE Chemistry
A Level
S-Cool A Level Chemistry
Get Revising
AQA
A Level Chemistry
Chemistry Guide