A LEVEL CHEMESTRY 

 

 

The AQA GCE AS A Level Chemistry syllabus is designed in consultation with teachers and universities, to help students develop not only subject knowledge, but also a strong understanding of some of the key concepts that are critical to mastering the subject 

 

The AQA GCE Chemistry syllabus enables students to progress on to university. 

 

Teacher assessments are continuous during LIVE TAUGHT lessons, marking of coursework and assignments and summative tests. 

 

Homework will be given at the end of each week, usually in the form of problems to solve, researching key concepts. 

 

Students have 24/7 access to all of their resources and coursework. 

Additionally the school holds 3 parent consultaions per year - one each term. 

 

I am Head of the Sciences Department. I am a qualified secondary school teacher (PGCE) with a PhD in Chemical Biology. I have worked in academia and in pharmaceutical research as a (bio)chemist and as medical scientist before training as a teacher. I have many years of teaching experience in Science (chemistry, biology and physics), maths and English as a foreign language. 

 

I have written some educational materials for various companies such as science revision questions, maths assessment papers and physics summaries. I am a member of the Tutors' Association. 

 

The course will follow the current AQA GCE specifications. 

The course will be based on the textbooks recommended for AQA GCEs. 

 

Physical chemistry 

1 Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry 

2 Atomic structure 

3 Chemical bonding 

4 States of matter 

5 Chemical energetics 

6 Electrochemistry 

7 Equilibria 

8 Reaction kinetics 

 

9 The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity 

10 Group 2 

11 Group 17 

12 An introduction to the chemistry of transition elements 

13 Nitrogen and sulfur 

 

14 An introduction to organic chemistry 

15 Hydrocarbons 

16 Halogen derivatives 

17 Hydroxy compounds 

18 Carbonyl compounds 

19 Carboxylic acids and derivatives 

20 Nitrogen compounds 

21 Polymerisation 

22 Analytical techniques 

23 Organic synthesis 

 

All candidates study practical skills. 

 

These topics will be taught in Years 12 and 13 to prepare students for their AQA A Level examinations. 

 

AQA science A Levels do not require a science practical endorsement examination to pass (all grades A*-G are achievable without a practical examination). However, students are advised to check with their intended university whether a science practical endorsement is required. If so science practical endorsement examinations can be taken later, even after students have passed and left the A Level course. Please note that AQA examinations are for UK students only. International students should prepare for examinations which will require a practical endorsement examination. 

 

Our lessons prepare students for June Series examinations only. 

AS Level 

Paper 1: topic 1 (Sections 1.1 to 1.4, 1.6 and 1.7) to topic 2 (Sections 2.1 to 2.3) including relevant practical skills, written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks, 50% of AS 

Paper 2: topic 1 (Sections 1.2 to 1.6) and topic 3 (Section 3.1 to 3.6), including relevant practical skills, written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks, 50% of AS 

A Level 

Paper 1: topic 1 (Sections 1.1 to 1.4, 1.6 to 1.8 and 1.10 to 1.12) and topic 2 (Section 3.2), including relevant practical skills, written exam: 2 hours, 105 marks, 35% of A Level 

Paper 2: Any content from topic 1 (Sections 1.1 to 1.4, 1.6 to 1.8 and 1.10 to 1.12) and topic 3 (Section 3.3), including relevant practical skills, written exam: 2 hours, 105 marks, 35% of A Level 

Paper 3: Any content and any practical skills, written exam: 2 hours, 90 marks, 30% of A Level 

 

It is the student's responsibility to arrange their examinations - our teachers will provide all the support requied. Most students will sit their examination papers at a local school or college. Some students sit their examinations at private examination centres (Google these or ask and we can provide a list) or the British Council for international students. Some students study our courses and sit examinations for other A Level science examinations ( Edexcel, OCR etc.) as most examination boards and A Level specifications are very similar. Students who wish to do this should practice the past papers for other examination boards in preparation. Our teachers are very experienced across all examination boards and can help with this. Please note that AQA examinations are for UK students only. International students should preparae for examinations which will require a practical endorsement examination. 

 

Assessment, apart from the final A Level exams, will be carried out continuously throughout lessons, via homework or short tests. 

 

Science is usually taught as a hands-on practical subject. 

Items that would be useful to have would be safety goggles, an apron, and a tray on which to carry out practicals (e.g. large baking tray). Additional materials will be announced a week before required in the lesson along with a permission slip (to be signed by the parents). If a student cannot get access to materials required for practicals or does not wish to carry out a practical, they should not worry as the practical will also be demonstrated by the teacher. 

 

The number of practicals will be relatively restricted owing to the nature of the course (online versus conventional), but we will try to include as many practicals as possible using safe household materials. Students will also be encouraged to think scientifically in an everyday context, making them aware of the science around them and how it can help in solving problems. 

 

"The conducting of experiments is potentially dangerous and must be supervised by an adult. The provider and its teachers do not demand that pupils conduct experiments. Parents and pupils must take the decision to conduct experiments/dangerous activities and must therefore accept responsibility for any outcomes. the provider does not accept responsibility for experiments or any other dangerous activity conducted at the homes of its pupils or in any other place."