Welcome to A Level Chemistry!

1. Welcome to A Level Chemistry!

2. Key information • Exam Board: OCR – Chemistry A. • All students will sit exams at the end of the AS course (Year 12) and if you wish to continue the full A-level, you will also sit exams in Year 13. • At AS, there is no coursework (100% exam). • In Year 13, there is also no coursework but you will be assessed on practical skills and must pass these in order to pass the A-level in Year 13. • The course content has a large focus on maths and literacy skills.

3. AS Chemistry

4. A Level Chemistry

6. Exam Dates

7. Assessment throughout the year.. The course is split up so that you will be taught by 3 teachers. For each topic they teach you, you will have: • A PLC. • PAT (Progress Assessment Test). • Half Term Test. • End of Term Test.

8. Grade boundaries: A = 80% B = 70% C = 60% D = 50% E = 40% U = < 40%

9. PAG tasks (Practical endorsement activities) throughout the year, within your lessons – You must pass these! • All completed PAG tasks must be kept in your folders! • Mock exams. • The result of any test you do must be recorded on your Personal tracking sheet.

10. Some tests/work will be marked diagnostically which means your teacher will write comments on your work to help you make better progress. • It is expected that you will respond to the feedback in a different colour pen and you will keep a record of all essays carried out in your folder.

11. Expectations You must: • Attend every lesson. • However, if for some reason you know you are going to be absent from a lesson, you must approach the teacher whose lesson you are missing before the planned absence and inform them of this. It is expected that you attend an alternative lesson or if this is not possible, catch up with the work missed. • Be punctual! • All bags and coats go at the back of the lab.

12. You must: • Bring your folder, PLCs, Personal tracking sheet and lined paper to every Chemistry lesson. (Folder spot checks). • Organisation is key! • Dividers are recommended for each teacher or a separate folder for each teacher!

13. Reports & Underachievement • If there is consistently poor attendance, poor organisation or poor punctuality, you will be put on report. • In the first instance, you will receive a phone call home. • Underachievement will result in a phone call/letter home.

14. You must: • Bring your own lab coat for any practical lesson or PAG task, or you will not be able to carry out the above. • If you are absent for a PAG task, you must liaise with your teacher and complete this in another lesson with another class.

15. Foundation Chemistry Fortnight • Chapter 2.1 Topics 1-7 • Test after school: Wednesday 28th September

16. Moodle • Every student will belong to the Year 12 Chemistry Moodle group. • You must check this page regularly because it will be invaluable to your progress. • The page is regularly updated with PowerPoints, past paper questions, forum discussions, exam tips and important notices.

17. Chemistry Review • If you are interested in subscribing, write down your name on the list. • Price: TBC

18. The Royal Institution • Faraday membership would be suitable for your A-level students. • This level of membership gives free access to over 60 public programme events throughout the year at just £15 per annum (£13 by direct debit). http://www.rigb.org/globals/join-support/membership/faraday-u18-members

19. Useful Websites • http://realisingopportunities.ac.uk/ • http://www.studentladder.co.uk/ • http://www.accessprofessions.com/opportunities • http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/widening-participation/activities • https://www.ucas.com/events

20. http://www.workshop-uk.net/ • http://www.premed.org.uk/homepage/ • http://www.debatechamber.com/ • http://www.debatechamber.com/summerschools/ • http://www.purepotential.org/events/ • http://www.london.ac.uk/tasters • http://www.etrust.org.uk/headstart-inspire-ris • http://www.universitytasterdays.com/