KS4

Key Stage Four Curriculum Overview

Specification: AQA (Syllabus code 8462)
Why Choose GCSE

All students will study:

Atomic Structure and Periodic Table
Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter
Quantitative Chemistry
Chemical Changes
Energy Changes
The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change
Organic Chemistry
Chemical Analysis
Chemistry of the Atmosphere
Using Resources

Separate Chemistry students study the same or similar areas of study, but most topics will be explored in greater detail.

We continue to follow the AQA Chemistry syllabus AQA 8462. Some students opt for combined science. These students cover similar content but with some extension activities removed. I have highlighted the extension content in bold italics.

year 10

	NAME OF TOPIC	KEY TOPIC OF THE TOPIC	ASSESSMENT POINTS
HT 1	Unit 2a and 4c Ionic Bonding and electrolysis	Following revision of unit 1, we teach the ionic bonding content of unit 2. Size of atoms Sub-Atomic Particles Relative Atomic Mass Electron Arrangement States of Matter State symbols Chemical Bonding Ionic Bonding Ionic compounds Properties of Ionic compounds Electrolysis Redox in terms of electrons Process of Electrolysis Electrolysis of Molten Compounds Using Electrolysis to extract metals	Required Practical 3 Electrolysis
HT 2	Unit 4c electrolysis Unit 2b Covalent bonding Unit 2c Metals and metallic bonding	Electrolysis of aqueous solutions Reactions at Electrodes Covalent Bonding Small Covalent molecules Polymers Giant Covalent Structures Structure and Bonding of Carbon Diamond Graphite Graphene and Fullerenes *Sizes of particles and properties* *Uses of Nanoparticles* Metallic bonding Metals and alloys Metals as conductors	End of term assessment prior to Christmas grades
HT 3	Unit 4a Metal oxides, extraction and reactivity Unit 8 Chemical Analysis	Metal Oxides Reactivity series Metal extraction Phytomining/bioleaching Properties of Transition Metals Comparison with Group 1 Typical properties *Corrosion and its prevention* *Alloys as useful materials* Chemical Analysis Pure Substances Formulations Chromatography Identification of common gases Test for Hydrogen Test for Oxygen Test for carbon dioxide Test for Chlorine *Identification of ions* *Flame tests* *Metal hydroxide ppt s* *Carbonates* *Halides* *Sulfates* *Instrumental methods* *Flame Emission Spectroscopy*	Required Practical Chromatography *Required Practical* *Identification of ions*
HT 4	Unit 5 Energy and cells Y10 Revision	Exo/Endo thermic reactions Energy transfer Profile diagrams Enthalpy change calculations *Cells/Batteries* *Fuel Cells*	Y10 End of Year Exam
HT 5	Reaction rate	Calculating rate of reaction Factors affecting rate Collision theory and activation energy Catalysts	Required Practical Rate and Concentration
HT 6	Equilibrium The Haber Process Fertilisers Life Cycle Assessments	Energy changes and reversible reacts. Equilibrium Changing conditions and equilibrium The effect of changing conc Effect of temp on equilibrium Pressure changes and equilibrium *The Haber Process* *Production and uses of NPK fertilisers* Life cycle assessment Reducing the use of resources.	End of topics assessment

Year 11

	NAME OF TOPIC	KEY TOPIC OF THE TOPICS	ASSESSMENT POINTS
HT 1	Unit 7 Organic Chemistry	Carbon compounds as fuels and feedstock Crude oil, hydrocarbons, and alkanes Fractional Distillation Properties of hydrocarbons Cracking and alkenes *Reactions of alkenes and alcohols* *Structure/formula of alkenes* *Reactions of alkenes* *Alcohols* *Carboxylic acids* *Synthetic and Natural Polymers* *Addition Polymerisation* *Condensation Polymerisation* *Amino acids* *DNA and other natural polymers* *Polymers*	End of topic test
HT 2	Unit 3 The mole	Revision of Atomic structure and mass The Mole Balancing eqns. Conservation of mass Amounts of substances in equations *Percentage Yield* *Atom Economy* Using moles to balance equations Limiting Reagents	Y11 mock
HT 3	The mole Unit 4b Acids	Concentration of solutions *Using concentrations of solutions in mol dm^-3* *Moles of gases* Reactions of Acids Acids + Metals Neutralisation and salt production Soluble Salts pH scale and neutralisation	Required Practical 1 Making a salt
HT 4	Unit 4b cont’d Unit 10 Potable Water	*Titrations* *Strong/Weak acids* *Calcs involving concentrations of solutions* Sustainable development Potable water Waste water treatment	*Required Practical 2* *Titration* Required Practical 8
HT 5	Finish tidy up and revision	A good deal of time is spent going over exam technique, past papers and the skills necessary to reach their potential.
HT 6	N/A	Staff are always available to give Chemistry help and support.	GCSE exams

Recommended Revision Guides for GCSE

Pupils have access to the online textbook through Kerboodle. We now sell CGP revision guides for AQA chemistry at £2.80 via Parentpay. We buy in bulk and pass the savings onto you.

Also, do not forget to check the resources available in the students' shared area or download a copy of the AQA.

Support available for GCSE Students

Staff are available to help between 8.00 and 16.30.