Chemistry

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.

Curriculum and Assessment Maps

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.

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…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/znxtyrd

Suggested reading Kerboodle pupil book 1
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

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…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/znxtyrd

Suggested reading Kerboodle pupil book 2
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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Further information

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.

  • Mr J Whitehead (Head of Department)
  • Mrs G Bajaj
  • Miss N Samuels
  • Dr R Perrins

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.

There is a list below of different ways you can encourage your daughter to achieve highly and develop a wider knowledge of the subject:

  • Read the teacher comments and where relevant act on them.
  • Reflect on assessments to enable them to identify how to improve.
  • Make revision materials at the end of each topic.
  • Review their work frequently.
  • Use the text book to consolidate classroom learning and read ahead to be ready for new topics.
  • Explain their learning from lessons to you or their siblings.
  • Ask their teacher for a more detailed explanation.
  • Watch science related programmes (e.g., Bang Goes The Theory, Brainiac, Horizon).
  • Read scientific literature. This is available in the school library, science articles in newspapers or on the BBC News website.

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

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 

en_GBEnglish