Chemistry

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Overview

“We must not forget that when radium was discovered no one knew that it would prove useful in hospitals. The work was one of pure science. And this is a proof that scientific work must not be considered from the point of view of the direct usefulness of it. It must be done for itself, for the beauty of science, and then there is always the chance that a scientific discovery may become like the radium a benefit for humanity.” Marie Curie

The processes of chemistry are central to life itself; for meeting our basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, health, energy, and clean air, water, and soil…chemistry is at the heart of all. At Lymm High School, we are passionate about discovery, and we work hard to ignite the same scientific fervour in all of our pupils.

We have worked hard to create a thoughtful and challenging curriculum in Chemistry, which means our students are both well-equipped and highly motivated to tackle further study.

All students will study Chemistry as part of their Key Stage 4 programme, which we offer as part of Combined Science or as a Separate Science alongside its sister subjects of Physics and Biology.

Career choices for chemists are as wide-ranging and exciting as the subject itself, and Lymm’s scientific alumni have gone on to enjoy successful careers in a range of settings, including medicine, engineering, dentistry and geology.

You can find more information on our Chemistry curriculum by exploring the links below.

Year 7 overview

Chemistry is taught within a combined science course in Year 7. Students will build upon their primary education by learning more about the basics of chemistry in a laboratory setting. After an initial introduction to a laboratory, lab safety and how to use a Bunsen burner, students will be introduced to the very basics of chemistry, starting with the idea of particles and the atom. We then move on to thinking about the classification of elements as metals and non-metals, and investigating chemical reactions and reactivity.

A blend of explicit teaching of powerful knowledge, and application of research, experimentation and critical thinking allows students to become increasingly competent scientists.

They learn how to describe chemical reactions in a scientific way, and to evaluate their own thinking.

 

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Particulate Nature of Matter:

States of matter, the particle model, changing states, water, mixtures and separation techniques.

Atoms, elements and compounds:

Introduction to the Periodic Table and atomic theory, the difference between elements, mixtures and compounds, naming compounds and chemical reactions.

Chemical Reactions:

Classifying elements as metals or non-metals and looking at the reactivity series and energy changes as well as classifying reactions as combustion, reduction, oxidation or thermal decomposition. Also, how to change the rate of chemical reactions.

 

5 ways I can help my child

 

1  Promote a curiosity into chemistry by discussing with your child why the materials they see every day behave and look the way they do.

 Challenge your child’s ideas about what materials are made of, and make them aware of everyday chemical reactions seen in and around the home (e.g. cooking, burning fuels etc.)

3

Encourage your child to question the nature of the world around them, using sources like books and the internet to research areas of interest.
4 Promote pre-learning by encouraging your child to use their knowledge organiser to read ahead to next term’s topics.

5

Take advantage of any exhibitions or special STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) events in the local area.

 

 

Year 8 overview

In year 8, students start applying their understanding of chemical changes and reactions to how we have synthesised useful materials from the world around us. The structure of the Year 8 course not only builds upon the groundwork laid in Year 7, but also begins to prepare students for the increased rigour of Year 9.

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Acids and alkalis:

Classifying compounds as acids or alkalis and how we use indicators to test them, the neutralisation reactions of acids and the production of salts.

Periodic Table and Metals:

An introduction to what the periodic table tells us, and how we can use this to form balanced symbol equations for chemical reactions. A look at classifying materials from the periodic table and the methods for extracting metals, and how metals react.

The Earth and Atmosphere:

Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks and the resources we obtain from them along with looking at the carbon cycle and climate change.

5 ways I can help my child

1  Promote a curiosity into chemistry by discussing with your child why the materials they see every day behave and look the way they do.

 Make your child aware of the importance of metals in our day to day lives and get them thinking about where these metals come from and how we obtain them.

3

Allow opportunities for getting out in nature and get your child thinking about what processes makes the earth around us so special.
4 Promote pre-learning by encouraging your child to use their knowledge organiser to read ahead to next term’s topics.

5

Encourage your child to question the nature of the world around them, using sources like books and the internet to research areas of interest.

 

 

Year 9 overview

In year 9 pupils will begin learning about rates of reaction. During this topic, students will develop their understanding by completing investigative work and developing their practical skills. They will also learn about the structure of atoms and how elements are arranged in the Periodic table. The programme of study in Year 9 will feel increasingly rigorous as students ready themselves for the demands of GCSE. While coverage is still driven by the National Curriculum, extension work may begin to include elements of study that students will pick up in Key Stage 4. The style of questions posed by teachers may begin to mirror the style of examination questions, and through these methods, we help students to not only develop and deepen their own understanding, but to also feel confident and prepared to embark upon their GCSE course by the end of the year.

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Rates of reaction, how to measure rate, how different factors affect the rate of a reaction: Temperature, concentration, surface area and the use of a suitable catalyst, rate of reaction graphs, calculating the rate of a reaction from a graph. Atoms, elements and compounds, mixtures, the development of the model atom, relative electrical charges of subatomic particles, size and mass of atoms, relative atomic mass, electronic structure and the history and development of the periodic table. Metals and non-metals, the behaviour of metals and alloys and their structure and bonding, formation of ions and the reactivity of Group 1, group 7 or group 0 based on this.

 

 

5 ways I can help my child

1  Promote a curiosity into chemistry by discussing with your child why the materials they see every day behave and look the way they do.

 Encourage your child to spend time revisiting previously-taught content, and reflecting upon how it connects to the topics s/he is learning about currently..

3

 Support your child’s learning by pointing out real-world applications of chemistry.
4 Promote pre-learning by encouraging your child to use their knowledge organiser to read ahead to next term’s topics.

5

Encourage your child to question the nature of the world around them, using sources like books and the internet to research areas of interest.

Year 10 overview

All of our students will study Chemistry at GCSE level for the duration of their time with us, because it is vital that we all understand the substances of which matter is composed. The Year 10 course builds upon the National Curriculum content delivered at Key Stage 3, starting with a knowledge check of Year 9 content, including the periodic table and atomic structure.

Students also complete required practical work, a fundamental part of the course, which enables them to go on to any further study with confidence in their research methodology. The practical aspect of the course comes from the required practical activities set by the exam board that form part of the content. Questions relating to these practical tasks will make up at least 15% of the marks in the final examinations.

At the end of Year 11, students will complete two exam papers, each worth 50% of the GCSE, and the Year 10 curriculum consists of content for these papers. Alongside teaching new content, students will build upon both content and skills learned in lower school.

 

Year 10 – AQA GCSE Chemistry

All pupils will continue to study the same topics in year 10, however the depth of knowledge will vary depending on if they have chosen to study it as the separate GCSE course or as part of the combined science GCSE.

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Revision of Atomic structure and the Periodic Table

Bonding structure and the properties of matter

Chemical changes

Chemical changes

Quantitative Chemistry

Energy Changes

 

The rate and extent of chemical change

 

Year 11 – AQA GCSE Chemistry

Year 11 continue where they left off in Year 10 and complete the final units of the course, including the completion of their required practical work.. We always strive to finish new teaching as early as possible in order to maximise the time available for taught revision in class.

During the consolidation period (usually from around March onwards), teachers focus on practical skills, fundamental knowledge, links between topics and exam technique.

In the summer of Year 11, students sit two external exams. The first exam comprises content based on Units 1-5, while the final exam picks up on content from Units 6-10, but by the end of their KS4 course, students are expected to be able to answer questions on any aspect of the course.

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Organic chemistry

Chemical analysis

Chemistry of the atmosphere

Using resources

Rate and extent of chemical change revision

Taught Revision

 Homework

Homework continues to be an important learning tool. Kay Stage 4 chemists will usually complete their home study by working through booklets comprising GCSE past paper questions. These packs are a helpful revision tool, and give students chance to deepen understanding and apply the knowledge acquired in class. As with other subjects studied across school, there are knowledge organisers attached to each scheme of learning, and students should be proactive in self-quizzing after lessons to ensure that taught content is committed to memory.

Other Useful Information

The examination board that we follow is AQA, and further details on the specification can be found on their website. There are additional updates for the 2021 series; further information is available here.

Many students find it useful to look at past papers. These can also be found on the AQA website.

 

5 ways I can help my child

1 Ensure that they complete their homework

2

Ensure that they know when assessments are taking place and are doing the necessary revision for them

3

Ensure that they use their PLCs (personal learning checklists) in order to self-check what they have covered in the specification
4 Ensure that they use their PLCs when revising

5

Ensure that they are using the AQA website to download, and complete, as many past papers as possible

Year 12 overview

At Lymm high we follow the AQA A-level (7405) course.

At this level students will study many areas of Chemistry in detail and be working towards the three exams at the end of year 13. In addition to the grade that the students receive at the end of the course, they will also receive a “pass” or “fail” for their endorsement of their practical work throughout the two years.

Y12 focus on core principles which are revisited and taken further in year 13.

Year 12 course outline

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
3.1.1 Atomic structure

3.1.2 Amount of substance

3.1.3 Bonding

3.1.4 Energetics

3.3.1 Introduction to organic chemistry

3.3.2 Alkanes

3.1.4 Energetics continued

3.1.5 Kinetics

3.1.6 Equilibria

3.1.7 Redox

3.3.3 Halogenoalkanes

3.3.4 Alkenes

3.3.5 Alcohols

3.3.6 Organic analysis

Mock exam preparation

Mock exams

3.1.10 Equilibrium constant Kp

3.3.7 Optical isomerism

3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones

Year 13 course outline

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
3.1.9 Rate equations

3.1.8 Thermodynamics

3.1.12 Acids and bases

3.2.5 Transition metals

3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones continued

3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives

3.3.10 Aromatic chemistry

3.3.11 Amines

3.3.12 Polymers

 

 

3.2.5 Transition metals continued

3.2.6 Reactions of ions in aqueous solutions

3.1.11 Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells

3.2.4 Periodicity

3.3.13 Amino acids, proteins and DNA

3.3.15 NMR

3.3.16 Chromatography

3.3.14 Organic synthesis

 

Revision and exam preparation